Govt firmly committed to negotiated settlement

FOREIGN Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday reassured US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the Government was firmly committed to seek a negotiated political settlement to the ethnic conflict.

Minister Samaraweera's visit is the first to the US by a member of the Government of President Mahinda Rajapakse since its assumption of office in November 2005, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington said.

Minister Samaraweera told Secretary Rice that since his election a little over six weeks ago, President Rajapakse had repeatedly invited the LTTE to resume negotiations to strengthen the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement and arrive at a negotiated political settlement.

President Mahinda Rajapakse had been able to secure the support of 28 political parties in the recent election and was holding consultations with other opposition political parties including the UNP, to evolve a southern consensus on solving the conflict, he said.

The Minister had thanked the US Government for the pro-active role it had played to support the peace process. He stressed that the solution the Government of Sri Lanka envisaged is based on democracy, human rights and pluralism.

The Minister also held meetings with Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca, who were also associated with Dr. Rice at the meeting with the Foreign Minister.

Minister Samaraweera said that he looks forward to meeting Under Secretary Burns, when he next visits the region.

Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the US Bernard A.B. Goonetilleke, Senior Advisor to the President Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Dr. John Goonaratna and the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington Ravinatha Aryasinha were associated with the Foreign Minister.