Dear Prime Minister,

We, as citizens of the United Kingdom are disappointed by your decision to attend the Commonwealth summit that is due to be held in Sri Lanka this November.

The Sri Lankan state is known to have committed crimes of genocide on the Eelam Tamil nation since its independence. After the supposed end of the ‘civil war’ in Sri Lanka, in May 2009, the chauvinist state continues to perpetrate acts of genocide on the Tamils. In the name of reconciliation once again the Tamil nation’s political aspirations and basic rights are suppressed by the Sri Lankan state, which is sadly supported by the UN. The end of the 'civil war' has not seen any improved situation for the Tamils; in-fact many would argue that a life for a Tamil has only gotten worse. Torture and rape of Tamils is a daily story in the north and east of Sri Lanka, which the Human Rights Watch has also confirmed. All these crimes continue to take place and yet a summit where the commonwealth values should be upheld, is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka, the heart of where an entire nation is threatened to be wiped out.  

Canada has pulled out from the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of Canada will not be attending. We hope to see the same happen in the United Kingdom.  Labour MP for Rotherham, Sarah Champion said, “I want our Prime Minister to show his commitment as an international citizen and as a serious defender of human rights by joining the Canadian Prime Minister in his boycott of the meeting”.

Recent provincial council elections in the north and east itself show how firm the Eela-Tamil nation is in gaining an independent state from Sinhala-chauvinist rule. The government of the United Kingdom should recognise the Tamil nation’s right to self-determination and sovereignty. The United Kingdom should push forward for a referendum to be held amongst the Tamil nation in Sri Lanka, and the diaspora, so that the Tamils can themselves democratically choose their right and find freedom from the oppression faced.

As a respected member of the Commonwealth nations, we believe that you, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will uphold commonwealth values, which include Human rights, and boycott the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka.

Yours sincerely,

A respected citizen of the United Kingdom.