Australia welcomes IDP resettlement

Australia Foreign Minister Stephen Smith agreed to consider providing more assistance to Sri Lanka for the ongoing resettlement and reconstruction programs when he met Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

He welcomed the early resettlement of the IDPs from the welfare villages and recent announcement regarding the freedom of movement of those remaining IDPs in the welfare villages.

The Australian Minister recalled his recent visit to Sri Lanka, which he said had afforded him an opportunity to experience at first hand the positive development in the post conflict phase.

Minister Smith thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for the support in taking steps to minimize illegal migration from Sri Lanka to Australia.

During his meeting with the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lawrence Cannon Minister Bogollagama exchanged views on the assistance required with regard to reconstruction in the post conflict phase in Sri Lanka.

Minister Cannon referred to the large Sri Lankan Diaspora in Canada and observed that they play an important role in Canadian political, economic, social and cultural spheres.

The two ministers were also of the view that it is imperative to continue the consistent engagement. Minister Bogollagama's discussions with the two counterparts also centered on regional and international issues of mutual concern.