Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral ties with Slovenia

(June 26, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The importance of bilateral interests as opposed to multilateral compulsions in shaping relations between two countries was underscored by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during his discussion today (25.06.2009) with Miklavz Borstnik, Charge d’ Affaires of Slovenia, who is on a two day visit to Sri Lanka coinciding with the National Day of Slovenia. The Minister observed that strong bonds of friendship within the international community would be sustainable when derived from bilateral ties. In this context he pointed out that Sri Lanka looked forward to further strengthening links between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama opined that the Slovenian Charge d’ Affaires was visiting Sri Lanka for the first time, when the country is at an important stage in its contemporary history having defeated terrorism, and in pursuit of reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation. He referred to the need for re-orientating relations between Sri Lanka and some members of the international community, considering the country needing wider space to deliver on the challenges presented by the post conflict phase.

The Minister explained that economic and political empowerment of the people would be crucial to ushering an era of peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka. It is therefore with this objective that the government is pursuing a 180 day resettlement programme for the Displaced and re-introducing democratic structures hitherto deficient in the North of the country, he said. Minister Bogollagama hoped that there would be wider acknowledgement by the international community of the Sri Lankan agenda being pursued both in defeating terrorism and the post conflict phase.

The Charge d’ Affaires acknowledged that political relations between Slovenia and Sri Lanka had intensified especially through the European Union. He was confident that the relations will be further strengthened bilaterally, considering that Slovenia has now established an Honorary Consulate in Colombo. Mr. Borstnik emphasized the need for an inclusive sustainable political solution for a future of peace for Sri Lanka, as it would prevent the re-emergence of hostilities. In the context of Sri Lanka’s economic development, Mr. Borstnik informed that Slovenia could assist in this regard. He also observed that with the defeat of terrorism countries needed to relax the travel advisory on Sri Lanka, which Slovenia is in the process of doing. Associated with Mr. Borstnik at the meeting was the Hony Consul for Slovenia, Sanath Ukwatte.

-Sri Lanka Guardian