Bogollagama urges Qatar's PM to participate in Sri Lanka’s development process

(January 13, Qatar, Sri Lanka Guardian) Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who is on an official visit to the State of Qatar met with Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar at the Emiri Diwan (Royal Palace)

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani who is also the Foreign Minister was given a detailed briefing on the current situation in Sri Lanka by Minister Bogollagama. Explaining the progress made by the security forces in the fight against terrorism, the Minister said that the LTTE was being roundly defeated in all fronts and this victory was being achieved due to the support given by the ordinary Tamil people who had been victims of the LTTE’s reign of terror. He explained the strategy pursued by the security forces in following a zero tolerance policy on civilian casualties. Now, the Minister stated, the A9 road which connects the northern and southern parts of the country was under Government control and it was only a matter of time when reconstruction efforts are launched.

Tracing the history of the current military campaign, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister stated that LTTE inspired terrorism had to be systematically dealt with and this was done first in the Eastern part of the country where today the rule of law was fully operative and democracy established. These efforts had enabled the election of a former child soldier, Sivanesathruai Chandrakanthan, as the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province, while the one time number two in the LTTE, Karuna Amman was a Member of Parliament.

Urging Qatari participation in Sri Lanka’s development process, Minister Bogollagama told Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani that much opportunity existed for foreign participation in the areas of trade, investment, tourism and petroleum exploration. Referring in particular to trade and direct foreign investment, the Minister said that Qatari businessmen could invest in Sri Lanka, one of the most assured location in terms of facilities and investment guarantees, so as to avail themselves of the opportunity to export to the vast Indian and Pakistani markets, with which Sri Lanka has Free Trade Agreements. He also explained the opportunities available to export to the European Union under the GSP+ concessions granted to Sri Lanka by the European Union.

Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al-Thani thanked the Minister for the extensive briefing and acknowledged that there was scope for participation by Qatar both at private sector and public sector levels. He further stated that the upcoming visit of His Highness the Emir of Qatar to Sri Lanka would provide an ideal launching pad for such opportunities. The Prime Minister was of the view that trade chambers in both countries could play an important role in this exercise.

The Foreign Minister agreed to the Prime Minister’s request to support Qatar’s application for Observer Status in the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IORARC) and received assurances of support by the Prime Minister in regard to Sri Lanka’s membership in the Organization of Islamic Countries.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time and suggested that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Doha and the Embassy of Qatar in Colombo could coordinate matters.

Minister Bogollagama also met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry, Abdullah Bin Hamad al-Attiyah and requested for assistance in establishing a LNG terminal in Sri Lanka. The Deputy Prime Minister agreed to consider the request once the total survey of reserves was completed in 2012. The Deputy Prime Minister also agreed to provide free technical advise in Sri Lanka’s quest for the exploration of oil offshore.
- Sri Lanka Guardian