South Africa will not tolerate any move by LTTE to form any transitional government in its soil

South African soil will not be allowed for any transitional government. South Africa will not tolerate any such move by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

South Africa’s Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Ms. Maite Nkoana Mashabane who was on an official visit to Sri Lanka pledged that the South Africa will be assisting Sri Lanka in its effort to defeat terrorism which erupts in any form.

South African Minister Mashabane has assured that there is no room on South African soil for a transnational government which some sections of the LTTE have been attempting to propagate. She also said that the South African government is very keen on with the terrorism factor.

South African Foreign Minister Mashabane addressed the Sri Lankan media with the Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Roitha Bogollagama yesterday (November 11) after having visited the IDPs in Manik Farm welfare village.

Addressing the media she said that she and her delegation was fully satisfied how the government of Sri Lanka assisted the IDPs and preceded in the resettlement program.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Bogollagama said that in the bilateral discussion took place between them at the Ministry, they discussed on the post-conflict challenges of resettlement, reconstruction, rehabilitation, reconciliation and many other issues. “Having direct air links, going for more trade opportunities as well as tourism industry of both the countries were subjected to our discussion”, the Minister Bogollagama added.

Both the Minister had also exchanged the ideas on any possibilities of exporting textiles, clothing and agricultural products to the South African Markets.

The establishment of the South Africa-Sri Lanka Partnership Forum which provides a platform for the two countries to review and build on multifaceted relationship has also been discussed and the Foreign Affairs Minister said that the 3rd South Africa-Sri Lanka Partnership Forum will held in Sri Lanka in 2010 and dates to be announced later.

Sri Lanka and South Africa established diplomatic relations in September 1994 and the Sri Lankan High Commission in Pretoria was established in October 1997.

Opening remarks by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama during the Joint Media briefing with Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Foreign Affairs Ms. Maite Nkoana Mashabane on 11th November 2009 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. I am very pleased that the Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Foreign Affairs Ms. Maite Nkoana Mashabane, is in Sri Lanka today on my invitation. Ms. Mashabane arrived in Sri Lanka last night and will be here until tomorrow.

2. Since Sri Lanka and South Africa established Diplomatic Relations on 16th September 1994, the ties between our two countries have been strengthened in many spheres. Following the establishment of our High Commission in Pretoria on 1st October 1997, the already existing excellent bilateral relations have been further consolidated.

3. Having defeated terrorism after nearly three decades, we are focusing currently on consolidating peace and addressing the post-conflict challenges of resettlement, reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation. We look toward to the support and understanding of our friends in the international community such as South Africa to work together for the benefit of all citizens in Sri Lanka.

4. We have just concluded our bilateral discussion focusing on wide range of issues of bilateral relevance and also some challenging international issues During these discussions, we noted the establishment of the South Africa-Sri Lanka Partnership Forum which provides a platform for the two countries to review and build on our multifaceted relationship. We look forward to welcoming the delegation from South Africa consisting of the Senior Officials for the 3rd South Africa-Sri Lanka Partnership Forum, which is due to be held in Sri Lanka in 2010.

5. I am pleased to note that two-way trade between Sri Lanka and South Africa has expanded substantially over the last two decades. In order to enhance existing trade and economic relations between the two countries, we discussed the possibility of signing MOUs at later stage. Sri Lanka also proposed the intention to diversify our exports to the South African Markets especially in the areas of textiles, clothing and agricultural products.

6. During our discussion, we also spoke on the existing Air Services Agreement and the possibilities of expediting MOUs on Water Resources, Agreement on Double Taxation, an Agreement of Tourism.

7. We also discussed the possibilities of enhancing the ties in the fields of education, science and technology. The Sri Lankan Government is keen to develop the areas of science and technology while also considering opening a Nano Technology Centre with the assistance of South Africa.

8. During our discussions, I also requested South Africa to pay cognizance to our challenges as some elements sympathetic to the LTTE may still be active. H. E Ms. Mashabane has assured that there is no room on South African soil for a Transnational Government which some sections of the LTTE have been attempting to propagate. In this context, I wish to thank the South African Government for this assurance and for all the assistance extended to Sri Lanka in the field of information sharing.

9. I am confident that the visit of Ms. Mashabane will further enhance the strong bilateral ties between our two countries.

- Asian Tribune -