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“Many of the EU concerns relating to GSP+ addressed and Sri Lanka has and will continue to engage on the remaining issues” – Ambassador Aryasinha
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Commenting on the ’current status of GSP+ concessions to Sri Lanka’,
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha has said,
“no formal decision on temporary suspension of GSP+ has been taken by the European Council
at present” and that “a decision is expected later this month”. Noting that “many of the concerns
that had given rise to the European Commission’s psychological impetus to review Sri Lanka’s suitability
for the continuance of the GSP+, have already been addressed on the ground”, he added that “Sri Lanka has,
and will continue to engage with the European Institutions in order to address the remaining issues of concern,
in a manner that does not compromise Sri Lanka’s national interest. However, such engagement needs to be on terms
respectful of one another and with sincerity and purposefulness by both parties. Sri Lanka expects the EU to do
the same. There should be no setting of unattainable targets, no shifting of goal posts and no attempt to use
Sri Lanka-EU relations to serve domestic political agendas.”
Read more...
GOSL Statement in Committee
MEP Comments in Committee
MEP’s letters to the European Commission
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Nation building through corruption-free commitment and discipline – President
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the nation could only be built through
commitment, discipline and elimination of corruption. “You are aware that during
the operation to defend the country, I protected the heroes who fought for the country.
I represented them everywhere. And now in the nation building process, I will protect the
honest and skilled people who work for the betterment of the country. The country cannot be
developed with harassment, gross punishments or by the gun. Discipline is not revenge.
The nation can only be built through commitment, discipline and elimination of corruption,”
stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
the 62nd Independence Day celebration in Kandy today (04 Feb).
Read more...
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National Day Message - H.E the President
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The 62nd anniversary of independence we mark today has special significance
being the first such celebration of our freedom since the defeat of terrorism
in our country last year, and also as it takes place soon after our people
have expressed their firm and resounding commitment to democracy.
Read more...
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National Day Message - Hon. Prime Minister
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Freedom is desired by all living beings.
Sri Lanka enriched by Buddhist values,
is a nation which gives importance to the freedom of Individual.
Inhumane acts of a few in the society violate the
freedom of the entire society. The value of freedom is deeply
felt when it is lost, more than when it is enjoyed.
Read more...
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National Day Message - Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Rising from the shackles of colonialism 62 years ago and annihilating an
almost three decade long grip of terrorism from our shores eight months ago,
we celebrate this anniversary of Independence in 2010, with a great sense of
oneness and pride. Nearly half of our country’s contemporary independent history
has witnessed a struggle against the brutal forces of terrorism which sought to tear asunder
the very sovereignty of our great nation gained by our forefathers.
Read more...
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EU Parliamentarians support Sri Lanka’s retention of GSP+
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In letters addressed to the 27 Ambassadors of Member States of the European Union,
Geoffrey Van Orden, Chairman of the European Parliament’s cross-party ’Friends of Sri Lanka’
group and long-standing member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called on EU countries to
“not merely rubber-stamp the inappropriate conclusions taken by EU bodies to cut GSP+ benefits
to Sri Lanka…… but to take account of the wider situation and improvements on the ground.”
...... He cautioned that hostile action against Sri Lanka by the EU “is bound to have both
immediate and longer-term consequences both for the well-being of the people of Sri Lanka
and for Europe’s relationship with that country,” and pointed out that such an approach
“does no justice to Sri Lanka or indeed to the EU’s role”.
According to a statement issued by the ’Friends of Sri Lanka’
dated 29 January 2010, Mr Van Orden also drew the attention of the
27 member countries to an exchange of views on ’Sri Lanka and GSP+’
held on 14 January 2010 at the International Trade Committee of the
European Parliament, where Spokesmen for three of the main political groups
clearly opposed the withdrawal of Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status.
Read more...
MEP Comments in Committee
MEP’s letters to the European Commission
GOSL Statement in Committee
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REAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SRI LANKA-EU RELATIONS MORE STABLE
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luexembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha has said the conclusion
of the Presidential Election and the re-election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,
enables the EU “to re-calibrate its strategy, and find the best way possible to
get together and work with Sri Lanka over the coming years, in making Sri Lanka -
EU relations more stable”. He said “it has a real opportunity to do so,
through the manner in which it chooses to handle the GSP+ issue”.
Ambassador Aryasinha made this observation on Wednesday (27 January 2010)
at the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Countries
of South Asia, during a discussion on the “Sri Lankan Presidential Elections”.
Read more...
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Vote for a new beginning of peace and prosperity, President
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the people in Sri Lanka have voted for an end to division,
an end to terrorism, and for a new beginning of peace and prosperity.
“We are proud at this demonstration of the vitality of our democracy,” he said in
a statement following the reelection for a second term. The President pointed out
that the Presidential Election held yesterday (26), was the first free and fair election in which
the entire country could participate in nearly three decades, and also the first such
election since the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka in May last year.
Read more...
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Foreign Minister briefs diplomatic community following the Presidential election
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Briefing the Colombo based diplomatic community following the completion of the
Presidential Election, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollgama said there were several reasons why
the poll could be described as ’momentous’: it was the ”first electoral process to have been held on
a nationwide basis after our country was liberated from the menace of the terrorism that threatened for
over 2 ½ decades our territorial integrity and our peace and prosperity”: it also showed that “despite
the difficulties and hardships they had to endure and overcome during this long period, the commitment to
democratic governance of our people was not in any way dimmed, but rather encouraged to burn even brighter”:
and, the election took place in an atmosphere of peace when compared to some earlier occasions on which the
then prevalent sinister and anti-democratic forces did everything within their power,
to intimidate voters from casting their ballots.
Read more...
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Comments by Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to International and other media on the Presidential Election
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“I appreciate this opportunity to meet with all of you, most of whom are covering for
the international media our forthcoming Presidential Election. I thought it
useful to share some background concerning the national preparations for the poll tomorrow, especially for the benefit of those who are
reporting on Sri Lanka while stationed outside the island... ”
Read more...
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Government of Sri Lanka calls for a Peaceful, Free and Democratic Election
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As the campaigning for the Presidential Election, scheduled for tomorrow January 26, 2010,
has come to a close, the Government of Sri Lanka is aware of the considerable interest abroad in the
first such election in which the entire country can participate freely,
since the decisive defeat of terrorism in the country in May last year.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka Embassy celebrates Thai Pongal festival
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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels on Sunday 17 January 2010 held a special pooja at the Embassy
premises, to commemorate Thai Pongal festival, In keeping with the decision made by the
Government to celebrate at the state level
the main religious events of the four great religions in Sri Lanka.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka says many of the concerns that had given rise to the EU’s psychological
impetus to review Sri Lanka’s GSP+ addressed
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luexembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha
on Thursday told the European Parliament, that at a time when many of the concerns
that had given rise to the European Commission’s psychological impetus
to consider reviewing Sri Lanka’s suitability for the continuance of the GSP+
had already been addressed on the ground, it is neither fair nor equitable for
the EU to seek to terminate the GSP+ facility to Sri Lanka. Addressing an exchange
of views on “the GSP+ and Sri Lanka” at the Parliament’s International Trade Committee
Chaired by Prof. Vital Moreira MEP, on 14 January 2010, he pointed out that the termination
of trade concessions is not a mere mechanical process that can be done arbitrarily,
but one that should be decided upon fully cognizant of its associated political
and socio-economic ramifications at the time of doing it, Aryasinha said, at a
time when the EU has shown considerable understanding and willingness to
accommodate the practical difficulties faced by some current GSP+ recipient
countries at variance from the norm with respect to some of the 27 UN conventions,
and are willing to review the rules of the scheme to accommodate others,
it is hard to understand why the same rubric is not being applied in the case of Sri Lanka.
Read more...
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“Timing of European Commission’s announcement on GSP+ is unfortunate” - Foreign Minister
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The Head of the European Union delegation to Sri Lanka Ambassador Bernard Savage called
on Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on Friday 18th December and briefed
the Minister on the developments connected with the implementation of
the Lisbon Treaty which came into force on 1st December.
Read more...
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HR Day significant to SL with end to terrorism
- President
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The celebration of Human Rights Day in Sri Lanka this year is of special significance
as it takes place when the entire country is liberated from the clutches of terrorism
and all Sri Lankans enjoy the freedoms they were denied for a very long time,
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in a message to mark the World Human Rights Day.
“The defeat of terrorism and the expansion of freedom in the country demonstrate
the commitment of my Government to extend the freedoms of democracy and respect
for human rights to all parts of the country,” the President said.
The message also said, “We shall continue to work together with the UN
and the all other agencies that seek to advance Human Rights,
as we continue our efforts to combat all forms of oppression and
extend support to the battle against terrorism
in every country where it threatens the freedom of the people.”
Read more...
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UN Secretary-General welcomes the decision by the GoSL to grant freedom of movement to IDPs
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The Secretary-General welcomes the decision by the Government of Sri Lanka to grant
increased freedom of movement to internally displaced persons (IDPs) still residing in camps
in northern Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General also welcomes the release of over half of the
IDPs from the camps, and encourages the Government to continue to prioritise the return of
IDPs. These are steps which the UN has long been pressing for in its intensive engagement
with the authorities in Sri Lanka, including during the Secretary-General’s own visit in May
Read more...
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President confident of resettling all IDPs by end January 2010 - Basil Rajapaksa
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On the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government has made all
the necessary arrangements to complete the resettlement of Internally Displaced
Persons in the northern transitional centers by 31st January 2010, Senior Advisor
the President, Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa said today (21).
At a discussion held this morning in Vavuniya, Parliamentarian Rajapaksa
said the restrictions imposed on the movement of civilians in the IDP
centers will be lifted with effect from 1st December 2009 to enable
them to freely move to any part of the region, Rajapaksa added.
Read more...
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UN humanitarian chief welcomes progress
on Sri Lanka displaced, but returnees need continued support.
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United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency
Relief Coordinator John Holmes concluded the final day of his three-day mission
to Sri Lanka. He met Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe,
Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa, head of Uthuru Wasanthaya -
the 180-day resettlement and reconstruction program in the North - Basil Rajapaksa,
and President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In addition Mr. Holmes met with a delegation of
members of parliament of the Tamil National Alliance to hear their views on the situation of
internally displaced people (IDPs) and the political process.
Read more...
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UN Under-Secretary -General for Humanitarian Affairs, Sir John Holmes
states that his current visit to Sri Lanka is under “more positive circumstances”
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The UN Under-Secretary -General for Humanitarian Affairs, Sir John Holmes,
who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka from 17th to 19th
November 2009 called on Foreign Minister
Rohitha Bogollagama on 18th November 2009 at the Ministry.
During the discussions, Foreign Minister Bogollagama outlined the resettlement
process and demining activities which had taken place so far and highlighted
the fact that the number of IDPs was declining on a daily basis due to the
rapid pace of the resettlement process. Foreign Minister Bogollagama requested
Sir John Holmes to consider providing more assistance in the areas of demining,
infrastructure development and livelihood enhancement for the IDPs who were
recently resettled and added that there was
room for further movement out of the welfare villages in the coming days.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka’s observations on EC GSP Plus report handed over
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama handed over today (6 November 2009)
to the Heads of Missions of the EU member states represented in Colombo,
individually addressed letters to his counterparts in the EU member countries,
together with a copy of the document captioned “Observations of the GOSL
in respect of the Report on the findings of the investigation with respect
to the effective implementation of certain human rights conventions in Sri
Lanka”. A similar letter addressed to the President of the
European Commission was also handed over
to the Head of Delegation of the Commission in Sri Lanka.
Read more...
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Observations of the Government of Sri Lanka on EU GSP Plus Report
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Sri Lanka’s IDP Centres Population Drops Dramatically in October as Resettlements Continue
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The number of conflict-displaced people in northern Sri Lanka
dropped dramatically in recent weeks to about 157,000,
compared to about 288,000 in June, the government reported.
Additionally, another 60,000 people are slated to go home
over the next few weeks, the government said. The majority
of the IDPs will be resettled by end of this year,
according Mahinda Samarasinghe,
Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights.
Read more...
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Foreign Minister Briefs Diplomatic Corps on the Progress Made by the GoSL on Resettling IDPs
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“The latest phase of resettlement commenced on 15th October,
under the supervision of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa. Since then, 108,757
have been resettled as of 3rd November 2009, and those remaining,
numbering to about 158,990 are awaiting resettlement in the coming weeks.
You would agree that this became possible only after the demining process was
completed in these areas where the people were resettled”said Foreign
Minister Rohitha Bogollagama while addressing the Diplomatic Corps based
in Colombo at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 05th November 2009.
Read more...
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Friends of Sri Lanka rally in support of Sri Lankan trade with Europe
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The ’Friends of Sri Lanka’ in the European Parliament thwarted moves by some MEPs
to seek suspend Sri Lanka’s GSP+ trade status in a hurriedly moved Urgency Resolution
debated in Strasbourg on Thursday (22 October). The resolution was initiated against
the backdrop of a report by the European Commission on Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status, which
was released on Monday (19 October) and which concluded that Sri Lanka had fallen
short in the effective implementation of some of the UN conventions relevant to the
scheme. Whilst direct reference to GSP+ was removed, the resolution still
emphasized the importance that trade would play in Sri Lankan reconstruction.
Mr. Geoffrey Van Orden MEP,
Chairman of the ’Friends of Sri Lanka’ group,
who participated I the inter-party negotiations on the compromise urgency text, ,
said; “the Friends of Sri Lanka have consistently advocated that it is trade, not aid,
that provides the best route to economic recovery and improvement” He also called on the
European Commission to reconsider its findings on Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status and urged
the Sri Lanka government to engage with the Commission on issues of concern.
Read more...
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GOSL Reaction on US State Department Report to the US Congress on Sri Lanka
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The United States has forwarded to the Sri Lanka authorities a document captioned
Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka, which contains a report
from the US State Department to the Appropriations Committees of the US Congress.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka wishes to point out in
this regard that the document relates to a period when the Security
Forces of Sri Lanka were engaged in a humanitarian mission through
operations in the North and in the East of the island, to free the members
of the Tamil community and the members of other communities living in
those areas, from the clutches of the terror of the LTTE. The great
relief with which the populace in those areas greeted the success of the
operations was manifest when, within the space of a few days between the end of
April and the start of May this year hundreds of thousands of men, women
and children who were being used as human shields by the LTTE, escaped towards the security
afforded by the Armed Forces, once the Army breached the LTTE lines.
Read more...
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| | | GoSL reaction to the GSP+ Report of the European Commission
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“The European Commission (EC) on Monday 19 October 2009 handed over to the Government
of Sri Lanka (GoSL) its report on Sri Lanka’s implementation of 3 of the 27 UN Conventions
relevant to its GSP+ benefits that were of concern to the EC.
The Note from the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission forwarding the EC
Report to the Mission of Sri Lanka in Brussels stated “the Commission will now decide whether
to propose a temporary withdrawal of the special incentive arrangement for sustainable
development and good governance provided for under Council Regulation (EC) No. 732/2008”.
The Note goes on to add “if the Government of Sri Lanka wishes to make any representations
on this matter or specifically in relation to the Commission Report in annex,
it is kindly requested to bring these to
the Commission’s attention no later than 6 November 2009 ...”.
Read more...
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| | | “Asia should focus on our inherent strengths” – President Rajapaksa
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“Our economies are today facing hardship due to the problems caused by
others who should share the burdens of recovery. The countries of Asia,
and many others, too, are today carrying the burdens caused by poor
regulation and the encouraging of greed in the dominant economies
of the West. It is a challenge that seeks new solutions. We need
to turn this challenge into an opportunity by expanding intra-regional
trade and the influence of our financial markets. Such measures will
not only strengthen our competitiveness but will also help us to build
valuable partnerships with other regions, for the purpose of contributing
to global economic well-being… Asia should focus on our inherent strengths,
which are considerable and can point the way to the future we seek” These
observations were made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa while delivering
the Keynote Address at the inauguration of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue
8th Ministerial Meeting at the BMICH on 15th October 2009.
Read more...
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| | | ’Sri Lanka: Facets of Post-Conflict Development’ Photographic Exhibition
inaugurated at the European Parliament
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Chairman of the Northern Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security
in the Northern Province and Senior Adviser to the President Basil Rajapaksa, MP,
together with the Vice-President of the European Parliament Dr. Libor Rouček, inaugurated
a photographic exhibition titled ’Sri Lanka: Facets of Post-conflict Development’ at the European
Parliament in Brussels on Wednesday (30 September). The exhibition was conceptualized and organized
by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels, with the sponsorship of Mrs. Elisabetta Gardini, MEP and the
’Friends of Sri Lanka’ group in the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament, members
of the diplomatic corps from EU member countries and SAARC, officials of the European institutions
and a representative gathering of Sri Lankans living in
Belgium and friends of Sri Lanka, participated in the event.
Read more...
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| | | Sri Lanka urges not to use the displaced persons in Sri Lanka as a political tool
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, Ravinatha
Aryasinha has urged that the displaced persons in Sri Lanka be not used as
a political tool, but instead that those being critical, step up and help the
Government to overcome the difficulties faced in looking after them and re-settling them.
He said “these are our people, successive governments fed them, provided medicines, ensured education
through the 30 years when the LTTE dominated their lives. We will ensure that they get back to their
homes in safety, not because anybody
tells us to do so, but because we want them to do so”.
Read more...
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| | | “UN should not interfere in the internal affairs of States” - Prime Minister at UN General Assembly |
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“Multilateralism is not about the UN agenda responding only to the demands of a minority of
powerful States, but also defending the interest of the powerless majority. It is also
imperative that the prohibition reflected in the Article 2 (7) of the Charter that the UN
should not interfere in the internal affairs of States be respected,” said Prime Minister
Ratnasiri Wickremanayake addressing the 64th Session of the
United Nations General Assembly in New York (Sept. 26).
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said: “Today,
we have entered a forward-looking, post-conflict phase,
recognizing at the same time the urgent need to deal with the
scars and unresolved challenges of the past. In our unique victory
in defeating terrorism, we are grateful for the assistance, encouragement
and co-operation extended to us by friendly countries; and we seek similar
understanding in making a steady and stable transition from ending
conflict to ensuring lasting peace and security”.
Sri Lanka is committed to complying with its international obligations
in the field of human rights and humanitarian standards. Sri Lanka
will undertake further domestic measures aimed at reconciliation and
in the light of lessons learnt. In less than three months after the conflict,
in August 2009, we have made significant progress, he said.
Read more...
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| | | ’RESURGENCE OF LTTE MUST BE PREVENTED’- PRIME MINISTER TO ASIA SOCIETY
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Rebuilding Sri Lanka after 25 years of war will, among other things, require preventing a
resurgence of the LTTE, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri
Wickremanayake addressing at the Asia Society in New York last night.
“Sri Lanka suffered for almost three decades of destruction from
terrorism by the LTTE,” Prime Minister said. Despite victory,
he said, “residual effects and related problems remain.”
Speaking at Asia Society, the prime minister said resettling internally displaced
persons (IDPs) is the country’s largest post-war challenge.
However, he made clear that a full resettlement
will take time. “You cannot have a solution overnight,” he stressed.
Full Release
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| | | You have better story than is getting out today
– Pascoe to President
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Sri Lanka has a better story than is getting out to the world on matters of
concern to the United Nations such as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs),
Human rights and Post Conflict Development was the view of B. Lynn Pascoe, United
Nations Under Secretary General for Political Affairs,
following his meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier today.
Mr. Pascoe met the President after visiting Vavuniya and other
areas of the North to get a first hand view ongoing de-mining,
resettlement of IDPs and the IDP relief villages of Menik Farm.
He expressed satisfaction at the progress being made on de-mining
especially with the use of new imported equipments
to speed up the process and assured of more UN assistance in this regard.
Read more...
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| | | Sri Lanka calls for an unqualified apology from Channel 4
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Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe addressing
Colombo based diplomats on 10th September to apprise them of the bogus Channel 4
video footage has said, in the face of scientific and expert evidence proving that
the video clip was a doctored one the Government expects Channel 4 to rebut the evidence
or publish an apology for their unprofessional conduct that has been grossly detrimental
to the image of Sri Lanka
Those who made presentations to the diplomats at the Presidential Secretariat
were agreed that the Channel 4 video was a doctored image not made on a mobile phone,
as claimed, but on a more sophisticated camcorder or video recorder.
Minister Samarasinghe also said that it was highly unprofessional for Channel 4 News
to have aired the video sent by a hitherto unknown organization named Journalists
for Democracy in Sri Lanka, which came to the public notice only
with its first blog on the internet in August 2009 and a Press Release the previous month.
Read more...
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| | | “Peace” and “rebuilding of society” are
fundamental conceptual paradigms that we must gain a common understanding of and evolve consensus on” - Minister Samarasinghe
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“Our ultimate goal is the return of IDPs to the areas in which they originally resided.
The process requires ensuring that these areas must be rendered safe, free of mines and other
unexploded ordnance. The areas of return must be cleared of the vast caches of weapons that our forces
are recovering on a day-to-day basis. To facilitate this process, basic infrastructure must be put
in place which will sustain the restored communities. Economic life must be restarted. A return to
traditional livelihoods must be enabled. Income generating activities from small and medium industry,
services, agriculture and fisheries must be recommenced. If people in the conflict affected areas are
to face the future with any degree of confidence, the public facilities and institutional edifices
providing essential services must be available and on par with those in the rest of Sri Lanka.
It is also necessary to enable and empower them to take charge of their own lives and not be
continuously dependent on humanitarian assistance and relief. These are challenges that
the Government of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse has taken on and is determined
to meet and overcome” said Hon Mahinda Samarasinghe MP, Minister of Disaster
Management and Human Rights at the Seminar on “Winning the War to Winning
the Peace: Post-war Rebuilding of Society” organized by the Regional Centre
for Strategic Studies (RCSS) on Friday, 28 August 2009.
Read more...
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| | | Minister Samarasinghe provides update to Parliament on displaced persons
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“We have completed registration of 144,000 persons. 100,000 identity
cards have been issued to the Police for distribution and 75,000 cards
have reached the intended recipients. I am also happy to inform this
House that we have managed to ensure the construction of 112 child
friendly spaces in the camps. These are especially necessary to enable
children to have some space to relax and interact. We have also taken
steps to create service protection centres on the basis of one for
every 5,000 IDPs to enable them to access the range of services that
are made available by the Government. We have taken steps to release
approximately 9,000 persons including the elderly, pregnant women and
lactating mothers and children. We have also been able to resettle
4,500 persons from camps in Vavuniya in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kantale
and Batticaloa. These processes are on going” said Hon Mahinda
Samarasinghe MP, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights,
while addressing the current developments related to the displaced
persons in the North of Sri Lanka, in parliament on 19th August 2009.
Read more...
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| | | Northern Province Elections: a milestone in restoring democracy in the North
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Local Government elections for the Jaffna Municipal Council & Vavuniya Urban Council were held on 08th of
August 2009, after a lapse of 10 years, marking another milestone in
the restoration of democracy in the North.
Read more...
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| | | “All necessary measures must be taken to ensure the welfare of
the Internally Displaced Persons” Minister Samarasinghe
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Keeping in mind that this a unique situation where a population of over 280,000
IDPs in Vavuniya, Jaffna, Mannar and Trincomalee Districts are being housed and cared for
in the aftermath of a historic operation to rescue them from a ruthless terrorist organization, all
necessary measures must be taken to ensure not only their welfare but also the welfare of the general
populace of Sri Lanka in those areas and in the rest of the country” said Hon Mahinda Samarasinghe,
Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, in Parliament on 22 July 2009
during the Adjournment Debate on Internally Displaced Persons.
Read more...
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| | | Ambassador Aryasinha says EU should re-calibrate its relationship with Sri Lanka
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha has said,
the rejection by European voters of those who campaigned on a pro-LTTE platform
at the recently concluded European Parliamentary elections, should encourage the EU
to “re-calibrate its relationship with Sri Lanka” and “engage in a constructive manner in the post-LTTE context”.
Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha made this observation when he
addressed the cross-party ‘Friends of Sri Lanka’ group of the European
Parliament, held on the sidelines of the inaugural session of the newly
elected European Parliament in Strasbourg last week.
Read more...
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| | | Sri Lanka now looks to future with renewed hope and enthusiasm - President at NAM
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For 27 long years my people were gripped by mortal fear. A great
sigh of relief has now swept across the entire nation being finally released
from the grip of the fear of terrorism. The Sri Lankan Nation now looks to
the future with renewed hope and enthusiasm. We have faith that all our
friends who stood by us in our hour of need will continue to stand by us and walk
with us in our journey to develop Sri Lanka for the benefit of all our people,
said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his statement at the 15th summit of the
Non-Aligned Movement being held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt today July 15.
Read more...
The full text of the Speech
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| | | President Rajapaksa gave practical scope and depth to non-alignment - Minister Bogollagama |
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Speaking at the NAM Ministerial Meeting at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on 13
July Foreign Minister Bogollagama praised Sri Lanka’s heroic security forces
for defeating the world’s deadliest terrorist group and rescuing civilians and
securing fully the north and the east of Sri Lanka. “This achievement was possible
because of the single-minded commitment, vision and perseverance of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, who has reunified Sri Lanka under one flag, further strengthening its
territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty,
as well as the liberties of people in the north and the east.”
Read more...
The full text of the Speech
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| | | LTTE pressured us to give false reports of civilian casualties - Northern doctors |
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It was under the pressure of the LTTE that we were giving exaggerated and
contradictory figures about the civilian casualties. There were civilian casualties
and deaths in the final stages of the battle. But not the exaggerated numbers of
civilian deaths and casualties we were forced to give under pressure of the LTTE,
said five doctors who were serving in the No Fire Zone on the final
days of the military operation to free Tamil civilians.
Read more...
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| | | Historic unity for Development and Reconciliation |
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A historic meeting of all political parties represented in Parliament,
and others too, to discuss the development and reconciliation needs of Sri Lanka,
following the defeat of terrorism, took place in Colombo today.
Leaders and representatives of 22 political parties from all communities
met at the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a groundbreaking move
to create consensus among political parties for the tasks of development and
reconciliation, giving priority to the speedy resettlement and rehabilitation
of nearly 290,000 civilians at present in relief centers in the North of the island.
This was the first time since the ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka erupted into armed
conflict more than 30 years ago, when all democratic parties across the political
spectrum met to discuss national issues.
Read more...
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| | | World Custom Organization Session of council held on 25 - 27 June 2009 |
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Sri Lanka became the 62ed Country to accede to Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC)
which is a convention administered by World
Custom Organization(WCO) for international trade facilitation.
Read more...
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| | | Foreign Minister highlights triumph of quiet diplomacy |
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has highlighted Sri Lanka’s
highly successful and constructive engagement with the international
community in playing a major role in eliminating the menace of terrorism
from the shores of the island. The Minister made this observation while
participating in the Debate in Parliament last Tuesday (09 June 2009)
on the Motion to extend the State of Emergency for a further period of one month.
Read more...
The full text of the Speech
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| | | “Resilience the Sri Lankan economy showed in the past navigating through stormy seas, would hold it in good stead as it entered calmer waters”
– Ambassador Aryasinha |
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxemburg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha has said with the
ending of the armed conflict, the main impediment to Sri Lanka reaching its full potential
has been removed, and Sri Lankans were keen to shift gears and move on focusing on development
and bringing peace and economic prosperity to the entire country. He said the resilience the Sri
Lankan economy showed in the past navigating through stormy seas, would hold it in good stead as
it entered calmer waters.
Read more...
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| | | British Foreign Secretary calls defeat of LTTE a massive achievement for GOSL |
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is on a two day visit to the UK had talks with
David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs yesterday [05 June 2009].
Foreign Minister Bogollagama said that elimination of terrorism from Sri Lanka has paved the way
to take the political process forward as well as holistic engagement with the international community
and his first visit to the United Kingdom is a part of such a process. While extending warm greetings
to the Sri Lankan Minister, Foreign Secretary Miliband stated that after the conclusion of
28 years of armed conflict now the time was now opportune to reflect on the basis for
rebuilding and reconstructing of the war ravaged areas of Sri Lanka. He said that
the defeat of the LTTE was a massive achievement by the Sri Lankan Government and none
in the British Government would shed any tears for these terrorists.
Read more...
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| | | New era in foreign relations to safeguard motherland
- H.E. the President |
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In order to, protect our new freedom after defeating terrorism, and to prevent
being under the pressure of others, it is necessary to begin a new era in
foreign relations to safeguard my motherland, said President Mahinda
Rajapaksa addressing the nation at the Victory
Day and Tribute to War Heroes celebration in Colombo, today (03).
Read more...
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| | | Sri Lankan forces protected civilian lives during counter-terrorism operations |
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In conducting military operations to eliminate terrorism, the Government’s
primary concern was to safeguard the innocent civilians, many of whom had experienced
multiple displacements over the years, and had their children forcibly conscripted by
the LTTE to be used as cannon fodder. Many of them had lost one or more of their family
members. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama made these observations, while addressing
the final day session of the 8th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore today (31 May 2009).
Read more...
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| | | FM hails victory at Human Rights Council |
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has hailed Sri Lanka’s resounding victory
at the Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday
(27 May 2009), calling it “an unambiguous and emphatic endorsement by the international
community of the Sri Lankan Government’s strategy to defeat terrorism and its pursuit
of peace and reconciliation within the framework of a Sri Lankan agenda, as embodied in
the Mahinda Chinthana,”. He said that this victory is a tribute by the world at large to the
wise leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has succeeded in steering the country
out of turbulent waters into an era of lasting peace and prosperity.
Read more...
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| | | The statement made by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe,
Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights at the UN Hum Rights Council Special Session on Sri
Lanka on 26 May 2009 in Geneva,
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| | | Full text of Statement |
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| | | JOINT STATEMENT BY THE GOSL &
THE UN AT THE CONCLUSION OF UN SECRETARY-GENERAL’S VISIT TO SRI LANKA |
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| | | At the invitation of the H.E.
Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka, the Secretary-General of the United Nations,
H.E. Ban Ki-moon paid a visit to Sri Lanka. During the course of his visit, he held
talks with the President, Foreign Minister as well as other senior leaders of Sri Lanka.
During his stay, he also consulted other relevant stakeholders, members of the international
humanitarian agencies and civil society. The Secretary-General visited the IDP sites at
Vavuniya and overflew the conflict area, near Mullaitivu that was the scene of the conflict.
Read more...
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| | | Sri Lanka and India focus on relief for IDPs |
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| | Sri Lanka and India are agreed that with the end of military operations in Sri Lanka, the time was opportune to focus attention on issues of relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and re-conciliation including a permanent political solution in Sri Lanka.
Read more...
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| | | “We should
live in this country as children of one mother”- President Rajapaksa addressing the ceremonial opening of Parliament, Sri Jayawardhanapura -Kotte May 19, 2009 |
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| | I declare open this fourth session of Parliament at a time the people of our country, as well as the entire world are celebrating a great victory.
I address this session of Parliament at the historic occasion when the hopes and expectations of the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Malay and all people of our country for several decades,
to see a Sri Lanka that is free of murderous terrorism, have been realized.
Read more...
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| | Foreign Minister underscores Sri Lanka’s multi-faceted relationship with the European Union |
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| | Sri Lanka values its
historical and multi-faceted relationship with the European Union (EU) covering a number
of areas of mutually beneficial cooperation, which has now developed into a robust partnership.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama made these remarks when an EU-Troika delegation led by the
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Madam Helena Bambasova, representing
the incumbent Presidency of the EU , accompanied by other members of the delegation called on
him at the Foreign Ministry today
(12 May 2009), prior to the official talks with the Sri Lankan delegation.
Read more...
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| | Address by H. E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Diplomatic Community in Colombo on current developments in Sri Lanka |
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| | “I am pleased to address you this morning at a time when humanitarian operations in the North are coming to an end and the country is about to be salvaged from the scourge of terrorism. The war with the LTTE is rapidly nearing its conclusion and it is my hope that this will create the space for democracy to flourish in the North again”.
Read more...
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| | Vesak Message of H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa
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| | We are privileged to celebrate this year’s Vesak with great respect and full state patronage in the simultaneous celebration of birth, enlightenment and the passing into nibbana of Lord Buddha.
Read more... |
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| | Sri Lankans in Belgium Celebrate Vesak |
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| | The Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels celebrated Vesak at the Embassy premises, on May 4. The Chief Adhikarana Sanga Nayaka Ven. Murungasyaye Gnanissara,
the Chief Incumbent of the Jethavana Vihara, France conducted the
religious observances which included a Buddha Pooja, a preaching of
Buddhist doctrine (Bana) followed by the chanting of seth pirith to invoke blessings on
Sri Lanka and the Security Forces. Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha and staff of the
Embassy were joined by members of the Sri Lankan Buddhist community in Belgium on this occasion.
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| | In Brussels, Sri Lanka re-brands itself to be ready to take off to reach its full economic potential |
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| | Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha has said,
at this time when the challenge of terrorism was ending and Sri Lankans are seeing light
at the end of the tunnel, it is important that the country re-brands itself and is ready to
take off and reach its full economic potential. Noting that despite adversity, in recent years
Sri Lanka sustained economic growth at around 6%, and continued to draw steady flows of foreign investment
and tourists, he said Sri Lanka was better prepared to shift gears in its race towards prosperity.
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|
| | Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium,
Luxembourg and the European Union (EU) made these observations when he addressed the launch of a
comprehensive Sri Lanka Economic Promotion Programme in Brussels, which commenced with a 3
day Sri Lanka Sea Food Festival on 27 April 2009 at the Raddison BLU Hotel, under the patronage
of the Governor of Brussels Hugo Nys.
Read more...
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| | Sri Lanka Tourism Rebrands in Brussels |
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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels, on behalf of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, together with Sri Lankan Airlines launched the new brand of Sri Lanka Tourism, Sri Lanka – Small Miracle in the Belgian market last week.
Read more... |
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| | UNITED SRI LANKAN PAVILION AT EUROPEAN SEA FOOD EXPOSITION
IN BRUSSELS
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Sri Lanka Seafood exporters participated in the European Sea Food Exposition
held in Brussels from 28th-30th April 2009. The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels
coordinated the presentation of the national pavilion in collaboration with
the Export Development Board. This is the first time that Sri Lanka organized its representation at this leading European seafood event under one banner with a national focus, to promote seafood exports to the EU market which currently imports approximately 70% of Sri Lanka’s total seafood supplies to the world. Sri Lanka today has
also emerged as the leading supplier of yellow fin tuna to the EU market.
Read more... |
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|
| | President’s appeal to Tamil civilians in NFZ |
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| | “I appeal to every one of you to come over to the cleared areas” states President Mahinda Rajapaksa to
the Tamil civilians held hostage by the LTTE in the No Fire Zone in the North of Sri Lanka.
Read more... |
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| | French Foreign Minister and UK Foreign Secretary condemned the LTTE
for holding the civilian population hostage in the “no fire zone” |
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| | The French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
Dr. Bernard Kouchner and Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom
David Miliband is on an official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation
of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rohitha Bogollagama.
Read more...
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| | Government of Sri Lanka rejects accusation on denial of entry to Swedish Foreign Minister |
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| | The attention of the Government of
Sri Lanka has been drawn to reported statements alleging that a visa had been denied to the
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt to visit Sri Lanka together with the French Foreign Minister
Bernard Kouchner and the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
Read more...
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| | SIR JOHN HOLMES, UN UNDER SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS
AND EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR VISIT TO SRI LANKA
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| | The United Nations Under Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes visited Sri Lanka on 26th and 27th of April on the invitation
of the Government. During his visit, Sir John Holmes had discussions with President Mahinda
Rajapaksa Foreign Minster Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Disaster Management and Human
Rights, Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe and several other senior officials. He also visited the
relief centres accommodating displaced people in Vavuniya and the Omanthai transit
point where displaced persons escaping from the LTTE are received by the GOSL.
Read more...
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| | Foreign Minister hails armed forces for successful hostage rescue mission |
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| | Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has praised
the Sri Lankan armed forces for carrying out the largest hostage rescue operation
in history by facilitating the flight to freedom of over 100,000
civilians who had been held captive by the LTTE in the no-fire zone
(NFZ) on the Mullaitivu coast. The Minister remarked that 102,790
ordinary civilians by voting with their feet to free themselves from
LTTE tyranny, have not only demonstrated their total rejection of the LTTE,
but also signalled their clear endorsement of the underlying humanitarian
objective of the armed forces.
The Foreign Minister made these observations while addressing the diplomatic
corps based in Colombo at the Foreign Ministry today (23 April 2009),
convened to brief them on the unfolding humanitarian situation in the North,
in the wake of the unprecedented exodus of over 100,000 civilians, who have
braved the bullets and other forms of violent intimidation unleashed by the LTTE, to flee to the
safety of cleared areas, since the early hours of Monday, 20th April 2009.
Read more...
Full text of Statement
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| | The Great Escape from Terror |
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In the 12 hours since 20 April 2009, I am, more than 30,000 Sri Lankan civilians have demonstrated in no uncertain terms their desire to live in freedom in their motherland, away from the stranglehold of their self-proclaimed liberators of the LTTE.
Read more...
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| | Sinhala & Hindu New Year Message
of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa
The President of Sri Lanka
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| | “Today our people from the North and
South, East and West will observe the traditions of the New Year ushering in a
new spring of abundance to the entire nation.
The people of the East who already enjoy their freedom will greet the New
Year with the traditional pot of boiling milk gathering the new harvest of liberation.”
Read more...
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| | Sinhala & Hindu New Year Message
of Hon. Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
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| | “Sri Lankans enjoy this pleasant moment
thanks to the selfless service of our heroic soldiers. War heroes’ parents celebrating this festival without experiencing the agony which
they had earlier is another significant feature of this New Year,”
Read more... |
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| | Sinhala & Hindu New Year Message
of Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama
Minister of Foreign Affairs
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| | “This year’s celebration of the Sinhala
and Hindu New Year is taking place in our country in a new atmosphere of hope
and anticipation that at last, the armed conflict is coming to an end.
Traditional festivities are taking place throughout the country with our people united
once again. This is a time for sharing with family and friends and for
renewal of expectations for future success and prosperity.”
Read more...
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| | Armed forces to restrict operations to defensive mode during Sinhala & Tamil New Year |
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| | President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the armed
forces to restrict their operations to those of a defensive nature during the Sinhala & Tamil New Year. The President,
deeply conscious of the need to give the civilian population, trapped in the No Fire Zone(NFZ), the opportunity to
celebrate these festivities in a suitable atmosphere, has taken this decision, which would also enable
their uninhibited freedom of movement from the NFZ to the cleared areas.
Read more...
Full text of the statement issued by the President’s Office |
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| | Sri lankan Foreign Secretary discusses end of LTTE conflict with U.S. State Department Officials |
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| | Dr. Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka’s foreign secretary,
met with top U.S. State Department officials Friday 10 April 2009. The end of the 25-year-long conflict with the
terrorist LTTE was at the core of the discussions. With about 500 LTTE combatants cornered by government security
forces in northeastern Sri Lanka, the foreign secretary told Richard Boucher, the Assistant Secretary of State for
South and Central Asian Affairs, that Sri Lankan forces are, consistent with government policy, exercising extreme caution
to safeguard civilians held hostage in the no-fire zone by the LTTE.
Read more... |
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| | Sri Lanka calls on European MEPs to influence diaspora communities they represent to bring
pressure on the LTTE to let go of the people they are holding as ‘human shields’ |
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| | Ambassador Ravinatha Aryainsha has told Members
of the European Parliament (MEPs) that some apologists among them are trying to save the LTTE
by calling for a ceasefire and trying to stop the Sri Lanka Government from militarily
defeating the terrorists, and that if MEPs really want to help affected civilians in
the uncleared areas in Sri Lanka, they should use whatever influence they had,
particularly with Tamil diaspora communities they represent, to bring pressure on
the LTTE to let go of the 50,000 people they are holding as ‘human shields’.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, made these observations
in an intervention at a meeting of the South Asia Delegation of
the European Parliament Chaired by MEP Robert Evans on 31 March 2009.
Full text of Statement |
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| | Eurojust hosts tactical meeting on ‘LTTE front organisations’ |
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| | A Tactical Meeting on “LTTE Front Organisations”, was
hosted by Eurojust (the European Union’s Judicial Cooperation Unit responsible for co-ordination of investigations and
prosecutions between competent authorities in the Member States), on 30-31 March 2009 in the Hague, Netherlands.
The Meeting was attended by representatives of the Intelligence and Criminal Justice communities of EU member states,
non-EU countries including Sri Lanka, and the Europol.
Read more ...
Full text of keynote |
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| | Sri Lanka rebuts unfounded allegations in the European Parliament |
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| | “No military operation to defeat terrorism in the
world is conducted without difficulty to the civilian population who live in the afflicted area.
In the achievement of our military dominance over the LTTE, the civilians, held at gun point by
the LTTE have been the centre of our concerns. In the past 2 months, the Security Forces have held back
their strength, even at the cost of suffering casualties themselves. The ground reality has unfortunately
been disregarded in the European Parliament’s Resolution of 12 March and makes several unsubstantiated
assertions which the Government of Sri Lanka finds objectionable”. These observations were made by the
Charge d’ Affaires of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium, accredited to the European Union, Ms. Saroja Sirisena,
at a meeting of the Human Rights Sub Committee of the European Parliament held in Brussels yesterday (30 March 2009).
Read more ...
Full text of Statement |
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| | Government seeks Partnership with Diaspora for Reconciliation and Peace building in the North |
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| | The Government of Sri Lanka is committed
towards developing a partnership with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in promoting a new era of peace through
reconciliation among the different communities and implementing an economic plan to reconstruct the war
ravaged North of the country. This pledge was made by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the
inauguration of a two day Sri Lankan Diaspora Dialogue in Colombo yesterday( 28th March 2009)
organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Minister, elaborating on the involvement
with the Diaspora in the post conflict era, stated that the initial engagement should evolve
into a partnership with the Government as a stakeholder. This partnership, he said
would be through political empowerment of the people and economic development of the North.
Read more ... |
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| | Sri Lanka engages UN Security Council Members at an informal briefing |
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| | In a further demonstration of the Government policy of engagement
with the international community relating to the current situation in Sri Lanka, the Permanent Representative
of Sri Lanka to the UN, New York, Ambassador H.M.G.S Palihakkara briefed the Members of the UN Security Council
during an informal interactive discussion on Thursday, 26th March 2009. Sir John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator also briefed the gathering. The meeting was held outside
the formal structure of the UN Security Council. During the briefing, Ambassador Palihakkara addressed three broad
aspects of the current situation - humanitarian, security and political.
Read more ... |
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| | Sri Lanka seeks constructive dialogue with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights |
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| | The Government of Sri Lanka wishes to remain fully engaged with the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay and her Office in addressing any particular issues
of concern relating to human rights. This desire has been conveyed in a letter from Foreign Minister
Rohitha Bogollagama in response to a Statement issued by the Human Rights Commissioner’s Office
on 13 March 2009. It may be recalled that during the telephone conversation between the Secretary General
of the UN, Ban Ki-Moon and President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 17th March 2009, it was agreed that the Foreign
Minister would make a formal response on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka to the above Statement.
Read more ... |
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|
| | UN Resident Coordinator unable to vouch for civilian casualty figures |
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| | The UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka,
Neil Buhne has stated that he is unable to confirm the veracity of the figures of civilian
casualties since 20th January 2009 in the conflict area of Mullaitivu District, contained
in an official report issued by his Office recently. He made this disclosure at a meeting
yesterday (24th March 2009) with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama held
at the Foreign Ministry, in response to a query from the Minister.
Read more ... |
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| | Positive sign in UN – Sri Lanka relations: UN Secretary General |
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| | The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
and President Mahinda Rajapaksa had a telephone discussion this evening where the matters discussed centered on,
inter alia, the humanitarian situation in the North, efforts of the Government to ensure the supply of food,
medicines and other assistance to the IDPs, conditions in the IDP villages, political initiatives by
the Government and
the recently published statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR).
Read more ... |
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| | Sri Lanka on verge of defeating terrorism – Hillary Clinton tells President Rajapaksa |
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| | The US Secretary of State Mrs. Hillary Clinton
acknowledged that Sri Lanka is now on the verge of defeating terrorism, and that this presented a great
opportunity to restore peace,
leading to reconstruction and rehabilitation in the country.
Read more ... |
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| | LTTE blocks evacuation of civilians from uncleared area in the Mullaitivu district |
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| | The LTTE poses the most serious obstacle preventing
the evacuation of civilians, who are confined to the safe zone in the narrow coastal strip in the Mullaitivu district.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, referring to the dialogue with India and the US in this regard, explained that
the Government of Sri Lanka is at present unable to avail itself of the offers of assistance to evacuate the civilians,
made by these countries due to the LTTE’s fierce resistance in releasing the people, since the civilians have been
forcibly held against their will as human shields to protect key LTTE terrorist leaders and their families. T
he Foreign Minister explained the Government position to the British Shadow Defence Secretary, Dr. Liam Fox who
called on him yesterday (12 March 2009) in Colombo. Dr. Fox is currently on a brief visit to Sri Lanka, during
which he is scheduled to hold talks with key Government leaders
including President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as well as meet leaders of political parties.
Read more ... |
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| | Government Condemns LTTE Suicide Bomb Attack near Mosque |
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| | The Government condemns in the strongest
possible terms the LTTE suicide bomb attack on the Milad-un-Nabi Muslim Festival to mark the birthday of Holy Prophet
Mohammed, at Godapitiya, Akuressa, Matara this morning around 10.a.m. in which
14 persons were killed and many others injured, including a Government minister.
Read more ... |
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| | Government condemns LTTE attack on food ship to Mullaitivu |
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| | The Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemns
the artillery shelling by the LTTE today (9th March 2009) of a ship carrying urgent supplies of food and
other essential items to the civilians who are being held
hostage by the LTTE in the narrow coastal strip, north of Mullaitivu. |
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| | Addressing a media briefing at the Ministry
today, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama vehemently denounced this cowardly attack
by the LTTE on an unarmed vessel engaged in a purely humanitarian mission to feed the
people. The LTTE is trying to starve these self-same Tamil people whom it claims
to represent, perhaps with the ulterior motive of giving credence to the myth of
starvation that is being circulated in some quarters internationally by the LTTE’s propaganda machinery.
Read more ...
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| | Government condemns attack on Sri Lanka Cricket Team |
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| | The Government of Sri Lanka vehemently condemns
the brutal terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka Cricket team in Lahore today (03 March 2009),
in which 6 members of the team were injured and 5 Pakistani policemen killed. |
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| | It is reported that a number of heavily
armed gunmen had opened fire at the bus carrying the Cricket team and the escort vehicle providing
security, while proceeding to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between 8.30 a.m. and 9.00 a.m.
(Pakistan time) for the 3rd day’s play of the 2nd Test Cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paranavitana who sustained gunshot wounds have been admitted to hospital,
while Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Suranga Lakmal,
Thilina Thushara and the Assistant Coach, Paul Fabrece had received minor injuries.
Read more ... |
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