Colombo, 01 May, (Asiantribune.com): Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama speaking to his Australian counterpart the Stephen Smith, on Thursday, appreciated the continuous interest expressed by Australia on the current development in Sri Lanka. He stated that the close dialogue and engagement between the two countries in this manner was an encouragement to Sri Lanka’s efforts. Minister thanked the Australian Government for pledging Aus. $. 4.5 million in humanitarian assistance for the urgent need of civilians displaced in the North.
Further, Minister Rohitha Bogollagama welcomed the constant stand taken by the Australian Government against the establishment of an Independent Tamil State. Minister Bogollagama appreciated Minister Smith reiterating this position in his recent interview to the media. He also thanked Minister Smith for his appeal made earlier to the Sri Lankan Tamil expatriates living in Australia to urge the LTTE to renounce violence and to lay down arms.
While thanking Minister Bogollagama for initiating the call, Minister Smith stated that he closely fllow the situation in Sri Lanka and noted reports of the recent visit by French Foreign Minister Dr. Bernard Kouchner and the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to Sri Lanka. He further stated that the Government of Sri Lanka is winning the war, yet the political settlement is necessary to address the grievances of the Tamil community urging for a political dialogue and reconciliation.
Foreign Minister Bogollagama briefing on the current developments in Sri Lanka stated that the All Party Representatives Committee (APRC) has appealed to the opposition parties which are not in the APRC to participate in the deliberations urgently. He informed Minister Smith that the main opposition party too has conveyed that they would submit their proposals to the Parliament.
Referring to the ‘Indo-Lanka Accord’, Minister Bogollagama informed his Australian counterpart that the Government has given its utmost priority for the implementation of its provisions. Further, Minister Bogollagama said the Government is planning to hold the Local Government elections in Jaffna in the near future. Minister also gave a detail account of the meetings he had with French Foreign Minister as well as the British Foreign Secretary.
Referring to the facilities provided to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the welfare centres Minister Bogollagama stated that the Government is aiming to resettle them before the end of this year. He commended the efforts of the ICRC and UNHCR assistance rendered to the Government. He conveyed to Minister Smith of the urgent need of the ambulances for the use of welfare centres in order to transfer patients to hospitals outside the IDP camps whereby Minister Smith agreed to explore the possibility of providing them under the development assistance programme.
Foreign Minister Smith while appreciating the confidence shown in sharing the information stated that a large number of Sri Lankan Tamil expatriates in Australia have expressed their concerns of the civilians held by the LTTE and on going terrorist tactics confining them to a smaller area. Minister Bogollagama maintained the position that there were sufficient food and essential items available for the IDPs.
Referring to the interest shown by the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia to contact Minister Bogollagama during the recently held Bali Process Meeting, Minister inquired as to the proposed high level visit to Sri Lanka to discuss on the human smuggling activities. Minister Smith stated that the increase of arrival of boats from Sri Lanka and bearing on the human trafficking is a great concern to the Australians. He conveyed Minister Bogollagama that a high level delegation would be sent to Sri Lanka to enhance bilateral cooperation to curb illegal human trafficking.
Both Ministers agreed to continue with their dialogue in future.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
It is comforting to know
It is comforting to know that there are some nation that support Sri Lankan Government's effort to fight terrorism.
But extracting terrorism is just the tip of the iceberg.....
The true test starts once the war is over and the terrorist group is eliminated....
The thousands of Tamilians have put their faith and lives in the hands of the Sri Lankan President. Once the war is over he should ensure a better future for those IDPs.
If he fails to do so and treat them poorly, many Sri Lankans regardless of whether they are Singhalese or Tamils will be furious.
These people have lost everything in this outrageous war, and it is up to the Government to mend this and pull them out of this mess. Otherwise all this international aid becomes meaningless....
For that, I will pledge my
For that, I will pledge my vote again for the Rudd Government.
Be careful in rushing into
Be careful in rushing into believing Australia's word as US influence may change Australia's position.
We must thank the Australian
We must thank the Australian Govt for their humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced and for Minister Smith's appeal made earlier to the Sri Lankan Tamil expatriates living in Australia to urge the LTTE to renounce violence and to lay down arms.
But appealing alone would not be sufficient. Australian Govt must understand that the terrorism in Sri Lanka is mostly funded by Canadian & Australian resident Tamils. It is very clear from the demonstrations in Australian cities where they carry LTTE terrorist flags.
If they have not seen the LTTE flag carrying Tamils in demonstrations, they will see it again tomorrow in Canberra.
The funds raised by Tamil Australians are used by LTTE to buy weapons to kill Tamils in Sri Lanka and to suppress their human rights.
I need not advise the Minister, but, he will understand that the best way to help Sri Lankan population would be to stop the collection of funds for terrorism.
How will the funds collected tomorrow going to be used for? Buy more arms?
As Canada's 'National Post'
As Canada's 'National Post' editorially commented the tragedy of the pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora in the West and Australia is that instead of building alternatives to the Tigers they seemed quite satisfied when Prabhakaran's armed terror seemed to have some chance of succeeding. Now that the tables have turned, and the Sri Lankan army has the Tigers trapped, their cheerleaders suddenly are left with nothing to do but to mourn LTTE's defeat or spew hate on the Sri Lankan State and the Sinhalas, alleging "Tamil genicide."
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