The European Union on Tuesday lashed out at Sri Lanka's decision to deny a visa to Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, describing the move as a "grave mistake" and warning Colombo of repercussions.
"It is lamentable that the Sri Lankan government denied him a visa," Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said after talks among the bloc's foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
"I do think it is a grave mistake of the Sri Lankan government, which will of course have repercussions in Europe and will influence the further relations between the Sri Lankan government and the European states," he said.
He praised Bildt for his work for peace and on human rights.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said that "the intention is still there by David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner, it is an acute humanitarian situation, to appeal to the Sri Lankan authorities to ease up somewhat."
"What is needed in Sri Lanka is to initiate a political process so that all sectors of society feel that they are part of society, and until that is resolved we won't get stability in Sri Lanka."
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