Minister wants :

Action against Canadian LTTE elements

External Affairs Minister Prof. G L Peiris sought the support of the Canadian Government in taking effective action against LTTE elements in Canada so that activities detrimental to the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka will not take place in Canadian soil.

He said that during a meeting with his Canadian Counterpart Lawrence Cannon on the sidelines of the 65th UN General Assembly in New York. Minister Peiris informed his Canadian counterpart that following the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka some limited elements of the LTTE have now transferred their base of operations overseas, to Canada.

Cannon briefed Minister Peiris on the action taken by Canada in cracking down fund-raising by LTTE and its front organizations.

He also informed the Minister that the LTTE is outlawed as a terrorist group in Canada.

The two Ministers also discussed the recent incidents relating to human smuggling from Sri Lanka to Canada on board the “Ocean Lady” and “Sun Sea”. The Canadian Government had appointed a Special Representative on this matter who will be visiting Sri Lanka soon.

The Minister briefed his Canadian counterpart that with the end of conflict in Sri Lanka, and with the return of peace and stability to all parts of the country, there was no reason for people to flee the country on any grounds.

Minister Peiris also met with his counterpart from Spain, Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube on September 25. The Spanish Minister congratulated Sri Lanka in its success for ending terrorism.

Minister Peiris briefed his Spanish counterpart on the post-conflict progress in Sri Lanka. He also identified several areas in which Spain and Sri Lanka could work together.

Minister Peiris also met with Acting Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Korea Shin Kat-soo on the sidelines of the 65th UNGA on September 25.

Minister Peiris thanked the Korean Minister for the significant bilateral assistance received by Sri Lanka from Korea in several sectors. Minister Peiris also appreciated the intake of Sri Lankan manpower into Korea which had recently been increased by the Korean Government. As a result of the close bilateral relationship, Sri Lanka has now introduced Korean langauge as a subject in its national curriculum.

The Korean Minister expressed the satisfaction of the Korean Government that Sri Lanka was moving from conflict towards a post-conflict phase of reconciliation and reconstruction. He informed that Korea was pleased that Sri Lanka is the 2nd largest development partner for Korea, and that there are 20 ongoing projects in Sri Lanka worth over US$ 405 million.