Liberal Party - Canada, 14 Jan 2013 - TORONTO – Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement today on the Sri Lankan government’s dismissal of the country’s Chief Justice: “The Liberal Party of Canada strongly condemns the Sri Lankan government's unconstitutional dismissal of the country's Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake. Last week we called on the Conservative government to immediately raise this issue with the Commonwealth's disciplinary group. Canada must request an emergency meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to address these direct violations of the association's fundamental principles with the Sri Lankan government, and establish a path forward to support the development of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government's actions threaten the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. It is simply unacceptable that we wait to address this dire situation until the next scheduled meeting, as Prime Minister Harper and Minister Baird would prefer.”

The Liberal Party of Canada, December 13, 2012, TORONTO- Liberal Leader Bob Rae made the following statement today on the situation in Jaffna, Sri Lanka: “News is slowly emerging of an attack on the men’s and women’s dormitories at Jaffna University, with some fifty students being sent to hospital, and many arrested without warrants. Sri Lanka’s civil peace is still under threat from its own government. The United States government has issued a call for a respect for civil liberties and pluralism. Canadians can hardly do less in the face of continuing attacks on journalists and others expressing their opinions. Canada’s vigilance in defence of free speech and an open society must continue. The government of Sri Lanka must be held accountable for these violations of human rights.”

“Canada should support the findings of the independent panel and its recommendations. A Liberal government will work to encourage all parties, including the government of Sri Lanka, to accept the report. All UN countries should receive this report openly and cooperate in aiding the progress of its recommendations.”