Press Releases
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
October 4, 2007
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns Meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama
Under Secretary Burns and Minister Bogollagama reviewed the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Burns welcomed progress in reducing abductions in Colombo. However, he noted serious concern over credible reports of continued severe human rights abuses in Jaffna and other parts of the country and ongoing threats to freedom of the press.
Under Secretary Burns urged the government of Sri Lanka to do more to bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations and to put an end to disappearances on the island nation.
In addition, he urged progress on a power-sharing proposal that will give a political voice to all moderate Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese.