FM invites China and the world community:

Become partners in economic empowerment of Lanka

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, who is on an official visit to China, addressed a gathering of over 100 diplomats, leading think tanks, research organizations and media personnel at the prestigious Shanghai Institute for International Studies on 'Post - Conflict Sri Lanka and the way forward' on July 2.

The Minister reiterated that the defeat terrorism has brought about a feeling of freedom for everybody in the country and now a new era would be ushered in for an inclusive process of political development with equitable distribution of resources for economic empowerment and social stability of all communities.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that the right to counter terrorism was a prerogative of any sovereign state and the humanitarian interventions that had to be carried out were based on a "zero civilian casualty regime that had been strictly administered by the present Government.

Elaborating on the plans of the Government on post conflict development, the Foreign Minister spoke of the 180 day road map for resettlement and rehabilitation of ex-combatants and to move forward with the reconstruction efforts.

Quoting President Rajapaksa Foreign Minister expressed the view that there would be "no solution to a political issue other than a political solution". The Minister thanked the international community for supporting Sri Lanka's cause by banning the LTTE in some countries and also for the moral and material support extended to eradicate terrorism from her soil.

Particularly referring to relations with China the Minister pointed out that it is a very special relationship of a mutually beneficial partnership and thanked the Government of China for all support extended to Sri Lanka in the international fora and also in engaging in the socio -economic development process in the country.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama invited China and the world to reap the benefits of the opportunities available in the country with much liberalized economic policies and the many avenues available to generate a greater growth.

Minister Bogollagama witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Studies (LKIIRS) and the Shanghai Institute for International Studies (SIIS) of China in Beijing on July 1. Signing the Agreement on behalf of the Chinese side the President of the SIIS, Prof. Yang Jiemian, a scholar of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy reiterated the long-standing friendship and strong historic links between Sri Lanka and China and stated that he is confident that this Agreement would help further consolidate the ties between the two countries, and the two institutes.