Canada won’t support LTTE

It will continue assistance to Sri Lanka:

CHAMINDA PERERA

Canadian International Cooperation Minister Beverly J. Oda yesterday said the Canadian Government will not provide any support for the pro LTTE elements operating on its soil. She arrived in Sri Lanka for a one day official visit at the invitation of Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

Addressing the media after a meeting with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Oda said the Canadian Government has identified these elements and they will be severely dealt with according to law of the country. “Canada proscribed the LTTE as a terrorist organisation in 2006 and that policy decision remains unchanged,” she said.

The Canadian Minister expressed her satisfaction over the facilities provided to the civilians who sought the government’s protection.

She welcomed the Government moves to reunify families stranded by terrorist atrocities and resettlement of civilians in their original places of residence.

She promised to consider the request by the Foreign Minister for Canadian assistance to support infrastructure development and mine clearance activities in the North. She said Canadian assistance to Sri Lanka will continue uninterrupted.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the Sri Lankan Government appreciates the counter terrorism measures taken by Canada proscribing in 2006 one of the most ruthless terrorist outfits in the world. .

The Foreign Minister said the discussion with the Canadian Minister focussed on a wide range of issues including humanitarian assistance to the civilians who fled the uncleared areas.

Minister Bogollagama gave detailed developments that led to the escape of more than 200,000 civilians from the clutches of the LTTE into the cleared areas.

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to protect the lives of innocent civilians in the No Fire Zone.

The Foreign Minister stressed that the pause in fighting was used by the LTTE to strengthen its fortifications in the No Fire Zone.

The Minister gave a detailed account on how IDPs are registered in the presence of UNHCR officials at welfare camps. He educated the Canadian Minister of the assistance provided by the Government for the displaced civilians.

“Canada was informed that Sri Lanka has full potential to handle the humanitarian issue. “, the Minister said.

He said the Government has already planned to resettle 80% of displaced families in the Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts within this year.

“Canada and Sri Lanka have been sharing strong relations for decades. The locomotive engines provided by the Canadian Government under the Colombo Plan are still on the track, he said. He said that Canada is one of the first countries that came to the assistance of Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami and the Canadian assistance helped restore the livelihood of people affected by the tsunami.

Sri Lankans recall with gratitude the assistance provided by the Canadian Government to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami.