South Africa will support reconstruction efforts - FM

Chaminda PERERA

South Africa yesterday reiterated that no support is given to LTTE proxies to establish what they termed as a Transitional Government from South African soil.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the visiting South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana Mashbane assured that the South African Government will not permit pro LTTE elements and proxies to operate from their soil.

Addressing a joint media briefing at the Foreign Ministry, the Minister said their discussion focussed on how bilateral relations could be enhanced in the fields of trade, investment, education and technology.

South African Foreign Minister Mashbane said that her country assured the fullest support to the Government's resettlement and reconstruction effort in the aftermath of the 30 years' protracted conflict.

Mashbane, a former South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka stressed that her country has vast experience in dealing with post conflict and they are ready to share them with Sri Lanka.

"I visited the welfare centres where the people displaced by the terrorist atrocities have been provided accommodation. I saw children studying in classes.

"The Government has already resettled a large number of displaced people," she said.

She said South Africa is ready to extend its fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka in relation to the post conflict recovery and reconstruction process.