Catalonia statehood: SL govt expresses displeasure

The Government of Sri Lanka yesterday expressed its displeasure over the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by the Regional Parliament of Catalonia, stating that it only unequivocally supports a united Spain.

A Foreign Ministry press communiqué stated that the Government of Sri Lanka unequivocally supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Spain and considers Catalonia as an integral part of Spain.

Sri Lanka urged Spain to pursue a dialogue for a united Spain in accordance with the rule of law, and within the Spanish Constitutional framework.

Following the Catalonia referendum on 2 October, the central Government in Madrid described the referendum as illegal. At the Catalonia referendum, 90% voted for independence.BBC yesterday (28) quoted that the Catalan regional parliament has voted to declare independence from Spain, while the Spanish parliament has approved direct rule over the region.

Catalan MPs easily approved the move amid an opposition boycott.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy had told senators direct rule was needed to return “law, democracy and stability” to Catalonia.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont told the BBC that he would declare independence “at the end of this week or the beginning of next”.