Belgium lauds Lanka’s tsunami recovery

BRUSSELS: The Belgian Government has expressed satisfaction on the progress of post tsunami reconstruction in Sri Lanka and its rehabilitation efforts.

This was conveyed to Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama by his Belgian counterpart Karel de Gucht who was among the first visitors to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing day catastrophe, during the former’s visit to Belgium early this month. Bogollagama also called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belgium Heman Van Rompuy.

During the bilateral consultations, Bogollagama expressed appreciation to the Belgian Government and the people for their generous assistance following the 2004 Tsunami.

De Gucht expressed satisfaction with regard to the progress achieved in the post Tsunami reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of the Government.

Minister Bogollagama briefed the Belgian side on the recovery of the economy following the tsunami and the rapid return to normality.

The Minister highlighted the economic achievements of Sri Lanka including a steady GDP growth of 7.4 per cent increase in exports of over eight per cent and an impressive growth in FDI.

The Belgian Foreign Minister achievements in terms of attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

On the political front, the Minister briefed his counterpart on action taken by the Sri Lankan Government to eliminate terrorism, liberate the people of the Eastern Province, restore democratic form of administration and also on the comprehensive development programme Negenahira Navodaya envisaged to restore normality in the region.

In this regard, de Gucht invited Sri Lanka to submit a memorandum requesting entry to the list of countries availing of Belgian development assistance.

Bogollagama informed that the Government will engage in limited surgical military action to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations to safeguard Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to restore the democratic way of life in the North.

The Minister’s discourse on the action taken by the Government to address the humanitarian concerns of the international community was appreciated by the Foreign Minister and Speaker of Belgium.

The Minister updated the Belgian Government on the APRC process, calling it the pluralistic democratic approach envisaged by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in addressing concerns of all elements of society of Sri Lanka. Minister Bogollagama invited the Belgian Speaker to the 60th anniversary of Independence in 2008.