Russia, Iran, Japan laud victory over terror

Russia, Iran, Japan and several other countries have lauded Sri Lanka for its victory over terrorism and have expressed hope that this victory would pave the way for lasting peace.

Moscow welcomes reports of the completion by Sri Lankan authorities of their operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) extremist organization, resulting in government forces restoring control over the entire territory of the country and freeing civilians held by LTTE as a “human shield,” said a statement by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Andrei Nesterenko in Moscow on Tuesday.

It further said: The Russian side supports the fight of the Sri Lankan government against terrorism and separatism and for state sovereignty and territorial integrity. We hope that the end to the bloody armed conflict that lasted in Sri Lanka for more than a quarter century will be a guarantee of the establishment of an enduring peace, security and stability in the country. Iran Foreign Minister M Mottaki in a telephone message to Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on Tuesday extended his warm congratulations to the President, the Foreign Minister and the Government of Sri Lanka on the success achieved by Sri Lanka in defeating LTTE terrorism. . Iran has also offered assistance through the Red Crescent, for the emergency relief operations for the IDPs in the North.

Meanwhile the Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso has felicitated President Mahinda Rajapaksa for his leadership in unifying the entire country and liberating the areas which were under the control of the LTTE for the past 26 years. This was conveyed to President Rajapaksa when he telephoned the Japanese Prime Minister on Tuesday to brief him on the successful completion of the humanitarian mission of the security forces to wipe out terrorism from the country. The President also drew the attention of the Japanese Prime Minster to the priority given by the Government for the implementation of long term development programs for the North as well as welfare programs for the IDPs.