Tamils for Labour has raised “serious concerns” over the arrest of Tamil activist Sockalingam Yogalingam during a peaceful protest against the visit of Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister in Oxford yesterday.
“Mr Yogalingam was exercising his right to peaceful protest and he should be released from custody as soon as possible,” said Sen Kandiah, chair of Tamils for Labour, adding that “it was very concerning to learn that Sri Lankan officials allegedly requested that he be arrested”.
He went on to state,
“It was deeply unfortunate that Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister was given the platform to speak at the prestigious Oxford Union, particularly when he used the opportunity to dismiss calls for international involvement in investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Sri Lankan armed conflict.”
“The Tamil community in the UK and Sri Lanka refuses to be intimidated and we will continue in our efforts both to hold the Sri Lankan Government to account for its actions and to call for justice, reconciliation and lasting peace on the island.”
