“Rolls-Royce is expected to provide the engines for a multi-billion dollar refitting of SriLankan Airlines planes – but this must not influence the UK’s diplomatic position over human rights in the south Asian country, campaigners say,” the Guardian reports.
Cameron
The deal has emerged at a time of mounting controversy over Sri Lanka’s hosting of the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November, despite allegations that it is intensifying a crackdown on critics and increasing human rights abuses, the Guardian reports.
SriLankan Airlines is set to retire its fleet of long-haul aircraft, reportedly replacing it with six Airbus A330-300 aircraft, at a cost of over $234m each, with Rolls-Royce Trent engines, and four Airbus A 350-900 with Rolls-Royce XWB engines, at a cost of over $283m each.
“The aircraft would be acquired over the next seven years,” a Sri Lankan government official told the French press agency, AFP.
Rolls-Royce said that it was not making any comment on reports of the deal.
“This must not detract from raising human rights issues. It must not be a condition on Britain remaining silent,” said Amnesty’s UK head of policy and government affairs, Allan Hogarth.
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QC Geoffrey Robertson Calls For Sri Lanka CHOGM Boycott
fayaz / May 4, 2013
no comment!
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Dude / May 4, 2013
Its the same old game – business as usual – during the war the British Govt. sold military equipment to the GOSL while preaching Human Rights!
CHOGM a British imperial hang over is the other game that Britain plays with dictators in former colonies.
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Coconut Donkey / May 4, 2013
Given all that has and continues to happen in Sri Lanka, if the CHOGM does go ahead and takes place in Sri Lanka, it will be the death knell of an already increasingly irrelevant entity. This is coming from someone who’s been involved with and an advocate for the commonwealth. Shame on you UK and shame on you Australia!!!
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Fair N Square / May 4, 2013
IF UK lives by example and principles let em NOT ship these engines. Bet they would end up shipping for MONEY TALKS BULLSHIT WALKS….
The WEST always had and will have double standards.. their measuring equipment is MONEY… and not principle… See for example they are planing on ARMING the rebels in Syria against an elected government. Did they do the same thing in Bahrain? NO..
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kp / May 5, 2013
yes, because in sri lanka everyone stands on principle.
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K.A Sumanasekera / May 4, 2013
At least Canadian PM Harper sticks with his loyal ex LTTEers and their Diaspora supporters in marginal seats
Mr Cameron only talk the talk.
What a difference a few Jet Engines can do to the moral of a British PM !!
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fred / May 4, 2013
What’s the problem? David Cameron simply does not have the same attitude as his Canadian counterpart. DC is entitled to his own view as are the leaders of other Commonwealth countries who have so far not supported Stephen Harper in his call for a boycott of the November conference. And poor SH, he finds himself isolated in his stand!
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Shan / May 5, 2013
Do you seriously think any of these country representives are going to end up not coming for this summit? Even Canada will finally participate! Has the international community- whatever that is- ever meaningfully chastised this brutal regime- EVER? Do they care? THey will all arrive, have a jolly good time in this paradise island and praise the regime and go. Jeez dudes! roll back the memory for goodnessakes!These ‘internationals’are only a big part of this country’s problem- not a part of the solution. CT and similar media can go on and on and on. This does not change the fact that none of this will change for atleast 15-20 years to come. Can’t you see how people are still so much in awe of this regime. They are brainwashed so extensively. This government can run in ITN alone. People sitting in Colombo just dont get this. A thumping majority of Sinhales just dont care about HR/electricity/ geneva- WHATEVER.They have willfully subjugated their entire being to this regime. It’s done. This regime is a religion for enough people. When they vote, this regime can litimately perpetuate its existance. They will be picking dirt form the ground and feed it to their children.But they will continue to believe its paradise. I work in an academic setting where in a staff of 25 people, I’m the only person who believes there is something wrong. ALL others believe all the govt propaganda about internationals/ UNP/ Ranil/ HR/ BBS/ Tamils. Extrapolate it to the rurals who can only see ITN. ITN is regime’s God. Those who sit abraod or in Colombo just dont get it.
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Kamala / May 5, 2013
KAS,
For your info. Harper’s ruling party is Coservative, which has a very few Tamil supporters.The Liberal and New Democrats are popular with Tamil voters.
What have you to say about SL rulers giving Cabinet posts to ex-top LTTE members?
With manipulating election results and alluring sycophants elected from the oppsition parties, why do they need these ex-LTTE men?
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Mahela / May 10, 2013
When both USA and Russia defeated Russia and Japan do you know what they did……..
They both broughyt back the top German economists, bankers, scientists, engineers, building and road engineers, plumbers, professors etc,etc to their countries and used them to build their defense forces, arms, missiles, jet fighters, road and building constructions, vehicles etc ec. Same with Japanese scientists.
What did Sri Lanka do after the war ended. What happened to the only mini sub that Tigers built. What happened to LTTE engineers, economists, bankers, professors, administrators,guerilla commanders etc,etc,as they were the best guerilla force in the world at that time and also small arms builders.
Still I believe that Tamil people have better planning, impleminting and executing abilities than Sinhala people although crazy VP messed up the war.
Sinhala leaders are nothing but fake patriots, drama show actors, selfish, greedy and dumb crooks.
Jayaweva.
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Lankan / May 4, 2013
Once again “Monkey Business”!
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Wickramasiri / May 4, 2013
My take on this is that after the CHOGM the Airbus deal and the order for Rolls Royce engines will be cancelled on some pretext or other and we will sign with Boeing!
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Wuliangguobinjiu / May 4, 2013
They may ground it once the old bird flies away! What a carrot to cMoron when the british party ukip want the commonwealth (nostalgia of retaining puppets worldwide)
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fred / May 5, 2013
You could very well be right. After all, history does repeat itself!
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JimSofty / May 5, 2013
Some here commenting should remember that Muhamar Gadhaffi would still alive today and kicking if he agreed to buy French fighter planes for Libya.
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NAK / May 5, 2013
If the queen as the head of the Commonwealth decides to attend,as she has no obligations to the diaspora like the other petty politicians does,Camoron will look like a moron if he boycots while the Queen attends.
Also as the head of the commonwealth it is her duty to avert any divisions in the commonwealth,which will definitely occur if the summit is boycotted.
Now the question is what India is going to do. They supported two geneva resolutions against Sri Lanka due to pressure from TN.Will they be able muster enough courage to withstand pressure from TN to boycot.
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Probono Publico / May 5, 2013
Money talks !
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len / May 7, 2013
How much to buy Cameron ask Rolls Royce?
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Jayantha / May 10, 2013
Rolls Royce engines could withstand Mattala Bird Menace. But who fly to mattala now…..with each land/take off burns over 4000 gallons of jetfuel.
Perhaps David Cameron coming to see first hand as to how Sri Lanka has progressed 65 years after independence.
With 80% people living in cadjan houses like Rizana’s parents house, 90% of estate workers still live in same old line houses, 65% people are malnutrition,all tea rubber and coconut plantations gone to dogs,Airports without planes, Harbours without ships, Hotels without tourists, what Rajapakses are going to show them is questionable.
Aishchariya Medamulana kiribath style.
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