South Asia must fight terrorism together
We have lived with terrorism for a long time - Minister Nimal
Siripala de Silva
Sri Lanka wants South Asian countries to come together and chalk out
a "strong plan" to stamp out terrorism for Healthcare and Nutrition
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.
"Terrorism of whatever nature must be eradicated, whether it is the
Al Qaeda or the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) or any other
group. We should not single out one or two," the Minister told The
Hindu.
The Minister, who attended an international health conference in the
city, said the Mumbai terror attacks should serve as an eye-opener
because what had happened in Mumbai could happen anywhere in the region.
He conveyed his country's condolences to the people of India.
The Minister referred to the address made by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa at the summit of the South Asian Association of Regional
Cooperation in August on the need for a concerted action in the region
to overcome terrorism.
Calling for treaties among the nations in this regard, he said a
solid surveillance system should be in place, covering borders of the
countries and the seas. Quoting Indian media reports, the Minister said
the group that was responsible for the attack was said to be not from
India.
"A terrorist could live in one country and attack another country."
De Silva urged developed countries to think of ways to control
international smuggling of arms, especially the sale of explosives.
Explaining how Sri Lanka had been battered by terrorism, the Minister
said Sri Lanka witnessed similar attacks from the LTTE in the last two
decades. It had experienced the brutality of terrorism more than any
other nation in the region.
"We have lived with terrorism for a long time."
He recalled how the LTTE attacked the Central Bank about eight years
ago using a lorry packed with explosives.
Three hotels in the vicinity were also damaged in the impact. Over
100 people died and 2,000 were injured.
A solution to the ethnic problem should be found through
negotiations, he said.
He reiterated his Government's position that if the LTTE laid down
arms, "even tomorrow we are prepared to hold negotiations."
In the past, when the Government did not insist on this condition to
conduct the peace process, the LTTE used the opportunity to strengthen
itself. That was why the Government was now making this a pre-condition
to hold talks, the Minister said.
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