News

UK Minister speaks to Ranil on protests, media freedom

24 Jul, 2022

UK Minister Lord (Tariq) Ahmad telephoned President Ranil Wickremesinghe and discussed the crisis in Sri Lanka, including the right to protest peacefully and media freedom.

The Minister of State Foreign Commonwealth and Development Affairs said that he had a constructive call with President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He said they discussed the concerning security and economic situation in Sri Lanka and also focused on rights to peaceful protest, media freedom, human rights and justice.

The Minister also said that the UK will continue to support Sri Lanka through these challenges.

The conversation took place after the military launched a pre-dawn raid on the Galle Face protest site on Friday, just minutes after the protesters announced that they will be withdrawing from the Presidential Secretariat.

Hundreds of troops surrounded Galle Face at approximately 1am (Friday) and stormed the Presidential Secretariat and removed the protesters.

The Police and military also destroyed tents and other structures erected around the Presidential Secretariat. (Colombo Gazette)

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