In telephone conversation with President:

UN SG promises continued aid

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his outstanding victory at the recently concluded Presidential Election.

During a telephone conversation yesterday the Secretary General wished President Rajapaksa success in the continuance of his efforts to strengthen peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, with assurances of full UN support for the efforts..

During the conversation the President apprised the Secretary General of steps taken for the conduct of another peaceful election to elect members to the Parliament and the Government’s commitment to prevent divisions harmful to democracy. President Rajapaksa during discussions also emphasized that infrastructure development was the most needed, both in the recently liberated areas of the North and East, as well as in other parts of the country and added that UN assistance for the efforts would be appreciated.

During discussions on the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the tasks of both humanitarian and development work, the President noted the Government’s willingness to work with foreign organizations in necessary spheres of activity while emphasizing the need for foreign NGOs to be accountable and transparent in their work, in view of previous experience in this regard. With regards to development work in the North, the Secretary General was told that the work was been carried out at a fast pace under the supervision of Senior Advisor to the President Basil Rajapaksa, MP.

In discussing issues regarding Human Rights and related issues, particularly in the concluding stages of the operations to defeat the terrorism of the LTTE, the President informed the UN Secretary General that the independent committee headed by DS Wijetunge PC, was looking into the contents of the related reports.

Once this Committee submitted its report, further action would be taken as considered necessary to bring about greater post-conflict reconciliation.The UN Secretary General was told that the Government looked forward to further progress both in the economic and development spheres, with the participation of investors and other assistance from abroad, President’s Media Division said.