Govt committed to Tamils’ rights

President tells Archbishop of Canterbury

COLOMBO: The Government’s aim is to evolve a solution to the situation in the North and East to ensure that the Tamil people are protected and assured of their rights, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told the Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams yesterday.

The President who discussed the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka with the Head of the Anglican Church, said the Government was committed to a negotiated solution to the Sri Lankan crisis and always stood firmly by that position.

The Archbishop was also told that the situation regarding Human Rights abuses had improved in Sri Lanka and that in this regard the Government was keeping a close tab on the Security Forces.

The President said there could be extraneous forces responsible for some of the alleged Human Rights violations and apprised Dr. Williams that the LTTE was carrying on a campaign of mud slinging aimed at damaging the image of the Government.

There was a frank exchange of views on matters of mutual interest between the President and the Archbishop.

The Archbishop told the President of some of the impressions gathered during his visit to Sri Lanka, especially the good relations between religions in the country.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister Douglas Devananda, the Bishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera, the Bishop of Kurunegala Rt. Rev. Kumara Ilangasingha, the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona were also present.