No room for foreign interference - Foreign Minister

House of Commons debate does not reflect British Govt's view:

Ranil Wijayapala and Irangika Range

KOTTE: Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday assured the Parliament that not even a semblance of foreign interference in the internal affairs of the country will be allowed under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's administration.

Responding to a JVP sponsored adjournment debate on the House of Commons debate on Sri Lankan situation, the Minister said the UK has not conveyed any message through diplomatic channels about any decision taken by the Parliament regarding the Parliamentary group's proposed visit to Sri Lanka.

"If there is any such message we will respond to it accordingly," the Minister added. He said the debate on Sri Lankan situation by the UK House of Common was a mixture of view about the Sri Lankan situation by various political parties and it does not reflect the view of the British Government.

"When we visit other countries, we brief them the current situation of Sri Lanka. It is just a debate and there is no need to panic about it.

They have agreed the LTTE should be abandoned."

He also said that strong foreign diplomatic relationships are very important to the country. Otherwise it could be isolated.

"We have understood the need for a proper political solution. The Government would like to extend an invitation to each political party to join hands to find a solution for the ethnic issue. The Government will bring a lasting solution.

The Government always utilises its best efforts to defeat terrorism and bring a lasting solution within the democratic framework," the Minister added.