Italy assures strong measures to curb terrorism against Lanka

ITALY: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday met Italian President Giorgio Napolitano where the Lankan leader was assured of stringent measures to deal with any terrorist activities directed against Sri Lanka from Italian soil.

The visit by President Rajapaksa is the first by a Sri Lankan leader to Rome in 24 years, the last being former President J.R. Jayewardene.

The discussions between the two leaders were friendly and cordial, a media release from the Presidential Secretariat stated adding that President Rajapaksa expressed his deep appreciation and gratitude for the assistance rendered by the Italian Government during the Tsunami catastrophe.

While agreements have already been signed in the areas of education, culture, science and technical co-operation between the two countries by the Foreign Ministry, the two leaders discussed the possibility of extending this to cover other fields too in the future.

The Italian President stressed that his Government would not condone any terrorist activity directed against Sri Lanka and that steps would be taken to investigate those who are lending such assistance on Italian soil.

President Rajapaksa gave a lengthy briefing on the present situation in Sri Lanka to his Italian counterpart while eliciting a positive response from his host to his request for Italy’s support in the quest for permanent peace in Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa also had lengthy discussions pertaining to expat Lankan workers in Italy with the attention of Italian leader being drawn to finding more employment for Lankans in Italy.

The talks helped to strengthen existing friendship and bi-lateral relations between the two countries, the release added.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy Rodney Perera were also present.