LTTE defeat proves terrorism could be eliminated:
Dr. Liam Fox hails Sri Lanka's military victory
British Shadow Defence Secretary Dr. Liam Fox congratulated Foreign
Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and the Sri Lankan Government on the
military victory against the LTTE terrorist group. This was conveyed to
the Minister on the sidelines of the 8th Shangri - La Dialogue in
Singapore last week.
Dr. Liam Fox pointed out that the defeat of the LTTE proved to the
world that terrorism could be eliminated. Minister Bogollagama briefed
Dr. Fox on the Government plans to conduct Local Government elections in
the Northern Province and the development of infrastructure in the
region. He was also apprised on the situation of the IDPs and the 180
day program by the Government to rehabilitate and resettle them in their
original places of habitation.
Present at the meeting was Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who
stated that the infrastructure of the Northern Province could not be
developed for the last three decades because the region was under the
control of the LTTE. Dr. Fox opined that what Sri Lanka needed was
assistance and not be the subject of unsubstantiated and spurious
allegations.
Also present at the meeting were the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to
Singapore, Ms. Jayathri Samarakone, senior officials of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Donald
Perera. |