Ban LTTE, Lanka urges Malaysia

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, attending the eighth Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore met Malaysian Defence Minister Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi and requested Malaysia to seriously consider proscribing the LTTE.

The Foreign Minister expressing deep concern of certain overseas illicit activities such as fund raising, arms trading and human trafficking, political patronage and dissemination of false propaganda, which could have negative effects on peace and stability of Sri Lanka in particular and the region in general, requested close co-operation and assistance of Malaysia.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama also thanked the Malaysian-Defence Minister for cooperation extended over the years with regard to the terrorist conflict. Foreign Minister Bogollagama who met Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue, added that Malaysia is the largest foreign direct investor of Sri Lanka, particularly, with the mega-investment in the telecom sector.

Minister Bogollagama expounded the recent developments in the military front and the manner in which the Sri Lankan Military Forces succeeded in annihilating the LTTE from the shores of the country. He stated that the counter terrorism measures of the Government were most successful.

Minister Bogollagama stated that the Sri Lankan military managed to destroy 13 LTTE vessels transporting arms and weapons, thus blocking the entry of such arms to the country. The Malaysian Defence Minister also congratulated the Government of this unprecedented feat and stated that it earned the respect of the entire world.

Dr. Ahmad Zahid with experience of his own country, stated that splinter groups of the LTTE could cause certain difficulties and accentuated the need to address the post-conflict scenario with greater efficacy.

The Minister thanked the Malaysian Defence Minister for the humanitarian assistance extended recently and the support given for Sri Lanka’s request for Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) Observer Status and in Human Rights Council.