British PM warmly welcomes President Rajapaksa

UK: President Mahinda Rajapaksa was cordially welcomed by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown when the two leaders met at the British Prime Minister's official residence at No. 10, Downing Street, London yesterday.

President Rajapaksa arrived at the official residence of the British Prime Minister accompanied by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

The meeting of the Commonwealth heads of States on "Reform on International Institutions" was held at the Cabinet room at 10, Downing Street.

Meanwhile, Britain's Opposition Leader David Cameron said they realise the challenges Sri Lanka is facing as a democracy confronted with terrorism and the efforts being made to overcome them, when he met President Rajapaksa at the sidelines of the mini Commonwealth summit in London on Monday.

Cameron said they were keen to understand the problems in countering terrorism and look at how best they can help the country.

President Rajapaksa discussed with Cameron the efforts the Government had made to restore democracy in the Eastern province and to launch an ambitious development programme that would help empower the people of all communities affected by the conflict.

The President highlighted that the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, was previously a frontline member of the LTTE who had renounced terrorism and entered the democratic process along with his cadres.

President Rajapaksa stated that the victory of Chandrakanthan's party was a clear indication that the people of the Eastern Province had endorsed the transition to democratic governance as a result of the development work the government had undertaken during the past year which had been appreciated by the Tamil community.

President Rajapaksa stated that his government was pursuing action to clear sections of the Northern province of the terrorists to enable the people in these areas to also enjoy the fruits of pluralistic democracy and rapid economic development.

The President discussed a range of bilateral issues with the Leader including the Government's commitment to a political solution to address the grievances of all communities and the continued challenges the Government is facing from the LTTE's ruthless terrorism including the killing of innocent civilians.

They also discussed the background to the abrogation of the CFA, talks the Government held with the LTTE and the Government's continued efforts to engage with those who had deviated from the democratic path.

The President also clarified the Government's position on human rights issues. The two Leaders also discussed LTTE fund raising, procurement and other illicit activities which continued to fuel the escalation of the conflict. Cameron assured President Rajapaksa of his party's fullest support to address these concerns. The two Leaders also exchanged views on the agenda of the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting on the "Reform of International Financial Institutions".

Cameron alluded to the close engagement of Shadow Defence Secretary Dr. Liam Fox on Sri Lanka and the leaders agreed to continue this close engagement.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and senior officials were present at the meeting. Cameron was accompanied by Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague and Shadow Defence Secretary Dr. Liam Fox.