Government of Sri Lanka condemns the defamatory propaganda of the Amnesty International against the Sri Lankan Government and the Sri Lankan National Cricket Team. The Government is also deeply hurt over the fact that AI has dragged sports into its vilifying campaign.

The matter was raised at the parliament yesterday (03) and the Minister of Highways and Road Development Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told the Parliament that this defamatory campaign would disturb the wining mentality of Sri Lankan cricket team while harming the dignity of the country.

The issue was condemned by all the main political parties including, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and United National Party (UNP).

JVP Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said that the aim of this sinister move was to demoralize our cricket team while tarnishing the country’s reputation.

‘Our team captained by Mahela Jayawardane is participating in the world cup tournament triumphantly. They are on the verge of winning the world cup by defeating the Englishmen in a game introduced by themselves to the world. Players from Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim are in the team symbolizing the unique national identity of the country,” he added.

It is reported that the Amnesty International has distributed foam cricket balls carrying the slogan ‘Sri Lanka play by the rules.’

"Our national cricket team is now on a winning streak. They are confident of wining the World Cup. Under this campaign, Amnesty has distributed posters with the slogan ‘Sri Lanka play by the rules’ among the spectators. It has tried to show the world that Sri Lanka is acting outside human rights laws," added Mr. Weerawansa.

Responding to the statement made by JVP MP Weerawansa, Minister Fernandofulle stated that "We all condemn this without any party affiliations. This would bring down the morale of our team.”

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said they also condemned this act by the Amnesty International.

Minister Fernandopulle pointed out that Amnesty International doesn't mention about the LTTE bombs in Ampara and Batticaloa and it wants to depress the team. “When there were bus bomb attacks killing people, these elements remained silent without uttering a single word,” he said.