FORMER prime minister David Cameron has drawn criticism for participating in events linked to investment in the Chinese-backed Colombo Port City, media reports said.
The main developer behind the Sri Lankan port project is CHEC Port City Colombo Ltd, which is ultimately controlled by the Beijing-based state-owned company China Communications Construction.
Unveiled in 2014, the project came under Chinese control as Sri Lanka struggled to meet its debt repayment obligations to Chinese companies. This sparked global concerns that it would give Beijing a foothold in the Indo-Pacific.
Cameron travelled to the Middle East twice in September to speak for the port project at investor events held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Sri Lanka’s investment minister, Dilum Amunugama, told Politico he believed Cameron was enlisted for the events at the request of the Chinese company involved in the development.
He said Cameron was trying to stress that it was “not a purely Chinese project” but “it is a Sri Lankan-owned project”.
“That is the main point I think the Chinese also wanted him to iron out,” Amunugama said.
Cameron’s spokesman said the former prime minister had no direct contact with the Chinese government or the Chinese firm that funded the port and his involvement was organised by the Washington Speakers Bureau.
“The contracting party for the events was KPMG Sri Lanka and Mr Cameron’s engagement followed a meeting he had with Sri Lanka’s president Ranil Wickremesinghe earlier in the year,” he said.
Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith said he was “disappointed” by Cameron’s participation.
“Given that China is a real threat to us all David Cameron should not have chosen to do this”, the MP who has been sanctioned by Beijing, said.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)