Co-Chairs firmly behind Lanka - Foreign Minister

COLOMBO: There is no truth in reports that the Co-Chairs of the Peace Process (US, Norway, Japan and EU) have decided to distance themselves from Sri Lanka until the All Party Representative Committee finds a solution, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said yesterday

“As far as we are concerned, there is no such intimation from the Co-Chairs,” Minister Bogollagama told the Daily News.

“The Government is going ahead with the peace process and the international community is fully aware of the Government’s commitment for peace,” the Minister said.

He noted that the APRC process was going ahead vigorously and the final draft agreed upon by a majority of parties would be ready in the next two months. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government have reiterated their commitment to the APRC process. The Co-Chairs and the international community were being apprised of these developments.

Earlier, in an interview with a Singaporean news channel, Bogollagama said although LTTE terrorism would be countered militarily, the outfit was still welcome for talks. He said the newly liberated Eastern Province would be made a showcase of democratic pluralism to the outside world.

“What we experience today in the East is a clear example and a manifestation of peace returning fast to Sri Lanka and to all parts of our country. It is another test for us to see how we are going to examine the North in terms of registering peace there as well,” he added. The Government has urged the international community to come forward to become partners in Eastern development.