Bogollagama emphasizes need for Australia to proscribe the LTTE

(October 13, Canberra, Sri Lanka Guardian) 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.

Minister Smith accepted Minister Bogollagama’s invitation to visit Sri Lanka early next year.
- Sri Lanka Guardian