Sweden has responded to the refusal of the Sri Lankan authorities to allow its foreign minister, Carl Bildt, to enter the country by recalling its ambassador.

Mr Bildt planned to visit Sri Lanka on Wednesday as member of a European delegation that is insisting on a cease-fire between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers. Sweden takes over the rotating EU presidency in July.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt says Sweden had recalled its top diplomat in Sri Lanka for consultations after he was refused a visa for a diplomatic visit.

Sri Lanka on Tuesday barred Sweden's foreign minister from entering the island on a humanitarian mission, as diplomatic tensions mounted over the conduct of the war on the Tamil Tigers.

Sri Lankan foreign ministry official indicated that Colombo felt it had already done enough by allowing Britain and France's top diplomats David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner to visit on Wednesday.

"The Swedish minister also wanted to jump on that bandwagon and we said no," the official said.

"Some think they can land up at our airport and expect a red carpet treatment. We are not a colony and neither a bankrupt Third World country. Our main donors are in Asia, not in Europe," the official added.

Bildt described the snub as "exceedingly strange behaviour," and said he was recalling the Swedish ambassador to Colombo.

The other two members of the delegation, British Foreign Secretary David Milliband and the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner say that they will proceed with the diplomatic mission.

On Monday the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes was told by the Sri Lankan government that a humanitarian UN delegation in the conflict area was not welcome. Sir John has made every effort to bring about a truce but without success.

The Sri Lankan government has rejected the offer for a truce made by the Tamil rebels at the weekend.

Comments (8)

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sri lanka

So what are they doing.It is time to be tough with Sri Lanka.Let us see who is giving sri alnka the backing.is it China?

Pushpa , April 28, 2009

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The IC should be firm with Sri Lanka.No more talks and wringing of hands.Sri Lanka should be taught a lesson.How can such a pariah state dictate to the UN and other EU nations?Who is supporting this failed state?I suspect it is China waiting at the side lines and urging sri lanka on.

Pushpa , April 28, 2009

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srilanka

srilanka goverment terrorist goverment,

tony , April 28, 2009

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Sri Lankan President is a WAR CRIMANAL!

Now the world is seeing the true side of SL governemnt. Imagine what the government is actually doing to the Tamil minority over the years. All Nations should open their eyes and understand how the Tamils have been suffering with the Sinhala Regime over decades.
TAMILS WILL BE FREE SOON. THE ONE AND ONLY SOLUTION IS TAMIL EELAM.

Dave , April 28, 2009

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It is good, Sri Lanka's true colors are exposed

These immatured idiotic Ministers, MPs, and officials are exposing the real arrogant side of sinhala regime. It is really working for the Tamils. Definitely much more governments and and the people in the World have now either changed their opinion and having serious doubts the Sri Lankan Govt. compared to a few months ago.

See this comment... "We are not a colony and neither a bankrupt Third World country. Our main donors are in Asia, not in Europe," - This is utter kiddish. He is a foreign ministry official and he talks like a school kid. Keep going Sri Lanka Govt. - It is working well for the Tamils.

Killedin83 , April 29, 2009

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count your days sons

Srilanka terror state government, you are making a big huge mistake. Use your own brain rather using India and China’s brain. You dumb brothers, you think you have got the powers on your hand?. Wait and see. I am watching you sons!!!!!

From Buda

Budda , April 29, 2009

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TRS

Now the world knows what happening in Srilanka.There is no any right.No Justism,No journalism.Only the SLG have Terrerism.The other Name of SLG is Terrerist Republic of Srilanka.Briefly called TRS.

Eelaija Murugathasan , April 29, 2009 | url

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The reason Sri Lankan government is being so stupid is because China, Russia and India are their supporters. Those countries provide the SLG with ammuninitions and other things to kill off all the innocent tamils in Eelam. Mahinda doesn't realize that, by developing hardship with the major countries such as USA, Europe and Scandinavian countries, he is digging his own grave and very soon he will go into it for sure. I just hope that when the tamils get the freedom that at least there are some people left in the country to celebrate it. LONG LIVE OUR NATIONAL LEADER V. PRABAHARAN AND GOD BE WITH HIM AND LTTE.

Simran , April 30, 2009

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