Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government is aware that on 13 March 2014 the Sri Lankan police arrested a Tamil widow, Ms Balendra Jeyakumari, and her 13-year-old daughter for allegedly harbouring a former cadre of the banned terrorist organisation the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam accused of shooting and injuring a policeman. We are now aware that Ms Jeyakumari has been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and her daughter has been released on probation. At this stage, the facts remain unclear and the Australian High Commission in Colombo continues to seek clarification.

Reports that Australia is actively working to undermine the US-led resolution on Sri Lanka on the Human Rights Council are completely unfounded. The decision on whether Australia will co-sponsor the resolution will be made after due consideration of the final text and the balance of issues it raises. The Australian government remain in regular contact with the full range of Sri Lankan political officials and community figures and other interested parties, including the US and UK governments and Australian NGOs, ensuring that we are well informed of the spread of views.