FM emphasizes need for Australia to proscribe the LTTE
Foreign
Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is on an official visit to Australia at
the invitation of Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith held
bilateral talks at the Parliament House in Canberra today, 13th October.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan Minister, Foreign Minister
Smith recalled previous meetings they had in Singapore at the ASEAN
Regional Forum and more recently in New York on the sidelines of the
UNGA.
Referring to the two-way Trade between Sri Lanka and
Australia, he mentioned that it surpassed A$ 300 million. Foreign
Minister Smith noted that the Australian Government provides A$39
million annually in development assistance to Sri Lanka, and to coincide
with the visit of Minister Bogollagama another A$ 6 million will be
provided over 03 years for primary school education through UNICEF.
Referring to the importance of the Sri Lankan diaspora
of 150,000 and over 5000 students presently studying in Australia,
Minister Smith noted that the visit taking place at this juncture was
important in reaching out to the diaspora as well as Australian public
in general.
Minister Smith observed that this visit was helpful in
enhancing the relationship between the two countries as exchanges
between Governments further develop people to people contacts, as well
as to understand the difficult issues faced by Sri Lanka. Describing the
relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka as one based on friendship
and cooperation, Minister Smith stated that both countries share
positive synergies on the multilateral as well as regional fora.
Minister Smith thanked Sri Lanka for the support given
for Australia to become an observer in the SAARC.
While thanking the Australian Foreign Minister for the
invitation extended, Minister Bogollagama mentioned that his visit was
taking place ten years after the last official visit undertaken by a Sri
Lankan Foreign Minister to Australia. He stated that the friendship
between the two countries remained close and next year would mark the
60th Anniversary since the establishment of the Sri Lanka High
Commission in Canberra. Noting the sizeable presence of a Sri Lankan
community in Australia he thanked the Australian Government for being a
good host to them and for the contribution made by them to Australia in
diverse fields.
Minister Bogollagama also appreciated the assistance
given by Australia over the years in various sectors stating that
Australia was also an important investor in Sri Lanka. Referring to
bilateral trade he stated that there was scope for further enhancement.
Further he stated that in view of the Free Trade Agreements Sri Lanka
had entered with India and Pakistan, investing in Sri Lanka would be an
attractive proposition for Australian companies, as they would
facilitate them to enter the vast Indian Sub-continental market on
competitive terms.
Minister Bogollagama briefed the Foreign Minister on
Sri Lanka's campaign in countering terrorism, but stressed that the
solution would be a political one. Quoting the most recent statement
made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Minister explained in detail
the manner in which provisions of the Constitution of Sri Lanka provides
for the devolution of power.
Further, he explained the priority given by the
government towards establishing democracy in all parts of the country
and the development of the Eastern Province under the Negenahira
Nawodaya programme. Minister Bogollagama briefed Minister Smith on how a
section of the LTTE had embraced democracy and the manner in which one
time deputy leader of the LTTE entered Parliament and how an ex-child
soldier was today the democratically elected Chief Minister of the
Eastern Province.
Minister Bogollagama described the history of
negotiations since the Thimpu peace talks of 1985 and those that
followed at different intervals, all of which were used by the LTTE to
re-arm, regroup and recommence hostilities. He stressed the need to
counter terrorism so as to free the people from the clutches of the LTTE
and in this effort emphasized the importance of the LTTE being
proscribed as a terrorist organization in Australia.
Foreign Minister Smith responded by stating that the
proscription of the LTTE under Australian domestic laws was currently
under consideration by his Government. Later on Minister Smith
responding to a question at the joint press conference reiterated that
the Government is considering the ban.
At the joint press briefing, Minister Bogollagama
stated that the Tamil community was part and parcel of Sri Lankan
society and that every Tamil was not a terrorist. He emphasized that 54%
of Tamils lived outside the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka
and Colombo reflects the fusion and amity of Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim
communities.
Courtesy: Sri Lanka High Commission- Canberra
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