Govt believes in political solution to conflict - FM
The Sri Lanka Government clearly believes that the ultimate solution
to the present conflict is political.
Defeating the terrorists militarily has created an environment
enabling the Government to engage in a political process with a number
of moderate Tamil leaders devoid of any LTTE pressure on them to find a
mutually acceptable political settlement, Foreign Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama said.
The Minister said this when he called on the European Commissioner
for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy Benita
FerreroWaldner and the European Commissioner for Trade Catyherine Ashton
in Brussels on Monday.
Sri Lanka Ambassador to Belgium Luxembourg and the European Union
Ravinatha Aryasinha and Advisor to the Foreign Affairs Ministry on
International Legal Affairs Dr. Rohan Perera were also present. Minister
Bogollagama called upon the European Union to view developments in Sri
Lanka and the Tamil diaspora within a post -LTTE paradigm which better
reflect the new ground realities in Sri Lanka and to become partners in
Sri Lanka’s post-conflict development.
The Minister said the military successes against the LTTE were a
result of the clear-sighted strategy embarked upon by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa in August 2006 seeking to address the political issues
relating to the current conflict through negotiations, to defeat the
terrorism of the LTTE militarily, following the LTTE walking away from
efforts made at negotiating with the group. He emphasised that the
achievements on the ground over the past few months in particular,
demonstrated that the LTTE’s fighting capabilities had been over-rated.
The Minister said the Government was clear that the ultimate solution
to the present conflict is political, and that defeating the terrorists
militarily had created an environment which enables the Government to
engage in a political process with a number of moderate Tamil
politicians, devoid of their being under pressure from the LTTE, which
would help in finding a mutually acceptable political settlement.
Responding to the Minister, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner acknowledged
the significant military gains achieved by the Sri Lankan Security
Forces.
She said the present juncture in Sri Lanka while militarily
important, was also politically important.
The Commissioner hoped that this opportunity will be availed of by
Sri Lanka to restore normality in the affected areas and to move forward
with implementing an ambitious and sustainable political solution which
can put Sri Lanka on the path towards peace and reconciliation between
communities, so that all can contribute to the rebuilding of the
country. The Minister briefed that the Government had taken swift
measures to establish a “Safe Corridor” so that civilians who were being
held by the LTTE as human shields in uncleared areas can escape to safe
ground.
Noting that several Governments, the UN and INGOs had called upon the
LTTE to permit the civilians to leave the area, the Minister asked that
the EU add its voice to demand that the LTTE “let the people go”.
He said the experience gained in clearing of the Eastern Province
following the eviction of the LTTE, will be replicated in the Northern
Province.
He noted that it would be re-called that in less than six months
after the operations in the East were completed, 80 per cent of those
displaced were re-settled in their own homes, most of them had their
livelihoods restored, local elections were held and even a Provincial
Council was elected within one year.
Noting that many Governments including those of EU member countries,
international organizations and INGOs are involved in post-conflict
development work in the East, the Minister regretted that the EU was a
noticeable absentee.
He urged that this be corrected, because it was crucial that economic
development take place to strengthen the restoration of democracy.
In discussion with both Commissioners, the Minister appreciated the
significant impact the EU GSP+ facility had on Sri Lanka in making the
EU Sri Lanka’s No 1. export market, providing direct and indirect
employment to well over one million people and helped Sri Lanka meeting
Millennium Development Goals.
He said Sri Lanka welcomes the European Commission decision to give
16 developing countries including Sri Lanka the GSP+ facility, for a
period of three years i.e. from January 01, 2009 to end 2011, subject to
a continuing dialogue and engagement with the Sri Lanka Government on
the implementation of core human rights instruments.
Sri Lanka has extended cooperation to the UN/ILO convention treaty
monitoring bodies relevant to the GSP+ process and also through its
continuous interaction with the European institutions. The Government of
Sri Lanka took the position that Sri Lanka has effectively implemented
the three conventions highlighted by the EC and was willing to continue
a dialogue in this respect.
He said his presence along with a high level technical delegation
which included Suhada Gamalath, Secretary/ Ministry of Justice and Legal
Reform, Dr. Rohan Perera, Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on
International Legal Affairs and Chair of the Committee developing the
National Human Rights Action Plan, S. B. Divaratna, Commissioner General
of Essential Services and Kshenuka Senewiratne, DG/ Europe and CIS, was
aimed at achieving that objective.
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