Bogollagama on three recent developments on external relations in Parliament

The reconvened Sri Lankan Parliament for a day yesterday to extend the State of Emergency for another month saw the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama sharing with the members of the House three developments pertaining to foreign relations that drew media attention—the European Union of GSP+ tariff concession withdrawal, the UN Secretary General’s Expert committee to advice him and the visit of India’s Foreign Secretary to Colombo.

Mr. Bogollagama said there was the announcement at the middle of last month of the European Union’s decision to operationalize by next August the withdrawal of its GSP+ tariff concession, unless a determination to the contrary is taken within the next six months.

He explained the circumstances that led to the Government during “a period when we were facing a severe terrorist threat, having to refuse to participate in an “investigation” detrimental to our sovereignty conducted by the EU. However, even then we were clear that we for our part value our longstanding relations with Europe and wish to remain engaged.”

In this connection the Foreign Minister pointed out that the European side when they announced their decision for withdrawal, also chose to emphasize their own commitment to continued engagement. “In fact, they said it is their hope that the next six months can be used for contacts between the two sides which would hopefully lead to a reversal of the decision. Perhaps, the decisive mandate that our President obtained at the Presidential election just a fortnight before the EU announced the intention for a temporary withdrawal, has also influenced them in favour of continued engagement. Therefore, all I would say at this point is that sincerity and flexibility should be a guiding principle and if the EU follows that path, they will not find us slow to reciprocate.”

When the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon’s intention was made known on March 5 to appoint a Committee of Experts to advise him (Lanka’s Foreign Minister) on any violations of humanitarian law that may have occurred during the conflict in Sri Lanka, Mr Bogollagama said the statement by the Presidential Secretariat on the very next day “made clear our reservations about any such move.”

He further said: “President Rajapaksa has always said that the space created by the success of the operations against terrorism, would be used to advance the political process. This started initially with the Provincial Council elections in the East in 2008, once the LTTE were flushed out of there. Then we had the Presidential Election where for the first time after more than two decades, the people of the North were able to cast their ballot freely. They will have another chance to do so at the Parliamentary election on 8th April. After that, there will be a Provincial Council election in the North.”

The Government, he said, is aware that the process of national recovery requires the repair of the infrastructure damaged during the conflict, as well as the hurt that may exist in the mind. “Towards this end, we have resolved to institute a mechanism for accountability and closure, based on our own concepts and targeted to achieve what Sri Lanka needs. We do not require guidance in this endeavour from foreign sources and hence we hope that even at this stage, those in the UN system involved with Sri Lanka will come to accept the redundancy of their declared intent.”

The Minister then drew the attention of the members of the House to the India’s sending a very distinguished official of the caliber of their Foreign Secretary to Sri Lanka in the wake of the decisive electoral victory by President Rajapaksa, which sends a very clear message. “Mrs. Rao reiterated the warm felicitations of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to our President on his success.”

Hw assured the members that President Rajapaksa’s vision is for Sri Lanka’s rapid growth in the current post-conflict situation. This vision therefore provides a very conducive atmosphere for a most dynamic period of growth in our bilateral relationship with India, he said

“It is in this context that the Foreign Secretary brought with her an invitation for our President to visit India and I can say the invitation was accepted with pleasure. India remains a very dear and firm partner and our friendship will only continue to grow from strength to strength.”

- Asian Tribune -