Sri Lanka to summon Canadian envoy over concerns

The Sri Lankan government said on Thursday it is contemplating summoning the Canadian envoy or embassy officials in Sri Lanka to discuss future diplomatic relations between the two countries, following recent allegations raised by the Canadian government against Sri Lanka. Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the External Affairs Ministry will issue the summons. However when contacted, the External Affairs Ministry said that such a summon has not yet been issued. "The government hopes to discuss diplomatic relations with Canada and the issues they keep raising," the minister said. Rambukwella made the remarks when he was asked if there was any move to review diplomatic ties with Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper decided to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka over human rights concerns. He reiterated a comment made by External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris that Canada is isolated in its decision to boycott the Colombo summit. The minister insisted that the government and its affiliated agencies have not committed human rights violations during or after the war against Tamil separatists. He said that the government maintained a "zero civilian casualty" policy during the war but admitted there may have been some isolated incidents. The minister also questioned why there is focus on the last stages of the war and not the 30 years of the conflict. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he is boycotting CHOGM 2013 because of Sri Lanka's human rights record and he also announced a possible review of Ottawa's Commonwealth funding package as he attacked the decision to let Colombo host the summit. Harper said he was "disturbed by reports of intimidation and incarceration of political leaders and journalists, harassment of minorities, reported disappearances and allegations of extra- judicial killings" in Sri Lanka.