Daily News Online
Ad Space Available HERE  

DateLine Saturday, 14 February 2009

News Bar »

News: Year of English and IT ...        Political: Government rejects British special envoy ...       Business: WealthTrust Corporation promotes prudent investments - Chairman ...        Sports: Isipatana register fifth outright win ...

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

Government rejects British special envoy

Conveying the Cabinet’s decision on Wednesday to reject the appointment of former Defence Secretary Des Brown as a special envoy to Sri Lanka, the Government yesterday informed Britain their unilateral decision was in breach of the accepted principles governing international relations.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the Cabinet in unison endorsed his application to reject the appointment of Des Brown MP as a special envoy to Sri Lanka, on the grounds that the Lankan side has not been properly consulted beforehand, given the sensitivity of the issue.

He said: ”I believe this is an unhelpful initiative in the counter terrorism activities and also amounts to the intrusion into Sri Lanka’s internal affairs.”

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown informed a Parliamentary Committee of naming a Special envoy to Sri Lanka on Thursday.

Minister Bogollagama said though the role of this special envoy is to support future development of the country including with regard to humanitarian aspects, it is learnt that his role is not properly defined, which was of concern for the Government.

Minister Bogollagama said Japan sought the Sri Lankan Government’s concurrence when Special Envoy Yasushi Akashi was appointed, though under different circumstances. And they expected similar courtesy from Britain which had been a country Sri Lanka had maintained close bi-lateral ties for a long period.

He said the Government was pursuing a ‘home grown agenda’ in its counter terrorism move with much success while taking extra measures to address humanitarian, IDPs and rehabilitation issues. International community support was critical in making this effort a complete success and in finding a sustainable solution to its ‘national issue’.

He said the Government appreciated the initiative by the US to ban another LTTE front organisation, the Tamil Foundation based in Maryland and freeze its assets adding that this was the kind of support it expected from the international community in its fight against terrorism.

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

Gamin Gamata - Presidential Community & Welfare Service
www.liyathabara.com
LAND FOR SALE
Ceylinco Banyan Villas
www.lankanest.com
LANKAPUVATH - National News Agency of Sri Lanka
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
Donate Now | defence.lk
www.apiwenuwenapi.co.uk

| News | Editorial | Business | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2009 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor