Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman congratulates President Rajapaksa for success on the defeat of terrorism

(July 16, Cairo, Sri Lanka Guardian) On the sidelines of the 15th NAM Ministerial meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Foreign Minister Bogollagama met his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Anifah Aman, to discuss matters of mutual concern.

Minister Bogollagama expressed his warm gratitude for the assistance and cooperation extended by Malaysia during recent times, when Sri Lanka was fighting terrorism. This, he asserted, Sri Lanka did while trying to continue the development process, amidst ramifications of the global financial crisis.

Thanking Malaysia for supporting Sri Lanka’s application to join the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Minister Bogollagama extended an invitation to his counterpart to attend the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Colombo in October this year. He also appreciated ongoing cooperation on security matters between the two countries.

Minister Datuk Anifah Aman conveyed his congratulations to President Rajapaksa on the defeat of terrorism. He said that Malaysia looked forward to assist Sri Lanka in its economic and social development process in the post-conflict era. Minister Aman assured the cooperation of his Government in preventing the remnants of LTTE from operating from countries in the region.

Explaining last stages of the humanitarian operation, Minister Bogollagama stated that military forces were able to rescue approx. 300,000 civilians who were held as human shield by the LTTE. He further said that the government was providing them with maximum facilities in the welfare centres, while demining has commenced to pave the way for the resettlement of the displaced people. He stressed that approx.10,000 cadres of the LTTE had surrendered to the Security Forces and that only for those who had committed serious crimes due process of law would be initiated, while other would be rehabilitated.

Minister Bogollagama explained the outcome of the visit of UN Secretary General to Sri Lanka, stating that an important Joint Statement was issued, which focused on humanitarian assistance of IDPs, reconciliation process and accountability. Clarifying a point made by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Minister Bogollagama also emphasized that there was adequate access for UN and INGOs to the Relief Centres.

With regard to imposing sanctions over countries, which was brought to his attention by the Malaysian Minister, Minister Bogollagama also said that Sri Lanka did not believe in sanctions on countries, but rather on constructive and wider dialogue and engagement to solve issues.

Minister Bogollagama also met his Mauritian and Egyptian counterparts on the sidelines of the NAM Ministerial Meeting.

-Sri Lanka Guardian