International pressure on domestic policies:

Netherlands’ appreciates Govt stand

The Netherlands’ Ambassador to Sri Lanka Leoni Cuelenaere who called on Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne yesterday said her government appreciates the stand taken by Sri Lanka on international pressures.

The Government of the Netherlands appreciates the diplomatic and strategic position upheld by the Government of Sri Lanka with respect to the pressure exerted by certain countries in connection with the internal political issues of the country, Ambassador Cuelenaere said.

The Government of the Netherlands will pledge Rs.139 million to uplift the livelihood of the people of the North and East. The Ambassador said Dutch investors were scheduled to launch a direct flight service from the Netherlands to Sri Lanka and vice versa from October. This move will benefit the tourism sector.

Premier Jayaratne said relations between the two nations were strong and productive over a very long period.

Earlier, Russia and the People’s Republic of China expressed their dissatisfaction over UN Secretary General Bank Ki moon’s decision to appoint a panel of experts to advice him on the alleged human rights violations during final phase of the war against terrorism.

When Ban Ki moon’s decision to appoint a panel of experts to advice him on internal political problems of Sri Lanka was announced by a UN spokesman on June 22, Russia was the first country to express its dissatisfaction over Moon’s move.

The Russian Federation External Affairs Ministry said three days later that Moon should have consulted the UN Security Council or the General Assembly before his decision as Sri Lanka was sovereign State and member of the United Nations.

The People’s Republic of China on Thursday said the Government and Sri Lanka is capable of solving their own problems.

The official spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the international community and the UN should help Sri Lanka to create a favourable external environment to stabilize the domestic situation and accelerate its economic growth. China too disagreed with Moon’s advisory panel. (WN)

IOM, Dutch Govt provide Rs 278 m for IDPs

Dinesh DE ALWIS

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Netherlands Government signed an agreement for Rs. 278 million to support Internally Displaced People (IDPs). These funds will be allocated for two IOM programs, which include the humanitarian and reintegration of former combatants to civil society.

Rs. 140 million has been pledged by the IOM to help families returning to their home areas from the Menik Farm centre in Vavuniya.

The IOM has helped with the resettlement of over 150,000 IDPs from the Vavuniya rehabilitation centres. The Government plans to resettle the balance IDPs by August end. The agreement to this effect was signed at the Netherlands Embassy, Colombo yesterday.