Sri Lanka's reputation as a country that upholds the rule of law is at stake - FDFA

Colombo (News 1st) - An employee attached to the Swiss Embassy in Colombo who claimed to have been abducted and questioned, was arrested this evening by the CID on charges of fabricating false evidence. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) issuing a release on the latest developments noted that it is concerned about this development and called on the Sri Lankan judicial authorities to ensure better protection of its employee's personal rights in any further proceedings in compliance with national law and international standards. The release adds that the FDFA and the Swiss Embassy in Colombo will continue to meet their responsibilities as an employer and do everything in their power to assist the member of staff concerned. The FDFA has also criticised the 30-hour interrogation of the embassy staffer, over three days despite being in poor health, and the public statements by senior Sri Lankan officials questioning her account before the investigations had been completed. The release adds that Switzerland wishes to emphasise that in this high-profile case Sri Lanka's reputation as a country that upholds the rule of law is at stake. The FDFA and the Swiss Embassy in Colombo will continue to support their employee as far as possible. The FDFA has reiterated to the Sri Lankan authorities that it is seeking a common and constructive way forward to resolve the security incident. This had been communicated to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through the Swiss ambassador in Colombo during a meeting held today.