Act with collective responsibility to defeat conspirators –
Minister GL
Local and foreign elements that are arraigned against Sri Lanka have
not changed their stance but their methodologies have been refined. In
order to defeat their strategies, the Ministry of External Affairs has
been assigned the task of proactively engaging with the international
community. In order to achieve success everybody should act with a
collective sense of responsibility, said External Affairs Minister Prof.
G.L. Peiris at a ceremony attended by the staff of the Ministry of
External Affairs to launch the New Year Programme.
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External
Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris addressing External
Affairs Ministry staff at a ceremony to launch the New Year
Programme. |
Speaking further, Prof. Peiris said an unprecedented number of world
leaders, including Heads of State visited Sri Lanka in the past year
thus indicating the attention and respect the international community
has for the country and its post-conflict programme of development and
reconciliation.
“Though the Armed Forces managed to defeat a brand of terrorism that
was considered as invincible and no more bombings and suicide attacks
take place, still efforts are being made by various international
elements to destabilize the investment and tourism sectors with a view
to bringing the country’s economy to a standstill. These elements appear
in various guises but their main focus has been to destroy the economy,
thereby attempting to achieve what they couldn’t by supporting
terrorism. And this was what Sri Lanka should bare before the
international community. Prof. Peiris said that he very candidly
explained this situation at the recently-held Galle Dialogue that was
attended by over 200 senior naval and other maritime officials from 29
countries. Furthermore, he continues to brief the diplomatic corps in
Colombo from time to time with a view to apprising them of the
prevailing situation which was well received by the diplomats.
Prof. Peiris also referred to the success achieved by Sri Lanka at
the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia where
it was able to nullify efforts made by a few countries to discredit Sri
Lanka. He also mentioned that at a news conference in Perth, how he
offered to answer any issue concerning Sri Lanka and how he had a very
fruitful exchange with the assembled media personnel.
Prof. Peiris said that we must extend the diplomatic relations
network to countries with whom we still do not have relations and
strengthen our international relations specially in the spheres of
investment, trade and tourism. In this effort the Ministry of External
Affairs should act as the catalyst and offer all the necessary help to
those Sri Lankan embassies. He also said that efforts were already
underway to host a very successful Commonwealth Heads of Government
Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka this year. The meeting was attended by all
senior officials and staff of the Ministry led by Ministry Secretary
Karunatilleka Amunugama, Secretary.
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