Eliminating terrorism Govt’s aim, says FM

SAUDI ARABIA: The Government’s aim is to eliminate terrorism so that all communities can live peacefully, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said.

Addressing the Sri Lankan Expatriates’ Society at a meeting at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he said over 400,000 Sri Lankan expatriates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia contribute to the Sri Lankan economy.

“When we work in a foreign country we have to abide by the rules and regulations of that country,” the Minister said.

“We may experience certain difficulties when we come to a foreign country. We must give our best at whatever we do and make our contribution to the host country,” Bogollagama said.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an important country to maintain commercial and bilateral ties. Saudi Arabian capital infusion into various projects is enormous. There will be several openings for skilled and trained Sri Lankans here, he said.

The Minister said the Government has been able to get the support of all parties in the South.

The All Party Representative Committee proposals will be announced soon, he said. “We will be canvassing for the LTTE to be stakeholders in the process. We do not accept the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamils. We are in a position to canvass for international community support to counter LTTE fund raising, narcotics trade, arms smuggling, money laundering and other illegal activities.

The US and France have already taken steps to arrest LTTE front runners who are being prosecuted. We want to eliminate terrorism so that all communities can live in harmony,” the Minister said.

Responding to some issues raised by the audience, the minister said immediate steps will be taken to fill vacancies in the embassy so that it can provide a better service to the people.

He said there is a need to upgrade all our embassies since it is the key focal point which paints the image and message from Sri Lanka to the world.

Arrangements will also be made to set up a new chancery building for which the land has already been allocated by the Saudi Government, the Minister said.

Sri Lanka Ambassador in Riyadh A. M. J. Saddique and Sri Lankan Expatriate Society President Vikum Rajapakshe also spoke.