FM urges Australia to ban LTTE

 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama meets his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith at the ARF in Singapore yesterday.
 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from Australia, Myanmar, Laos, South Korea, and the Philippines on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore.

During a meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith, Minister

Bogollagama expressed serious concern over the activities of the LTTE and its front organizations through its influence over certain misguided elements in the Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia.

Citing the ongoing criminal prosecution against three Australians of Sri Lankan origin, on charges relating to raising funds for terrorism as well as the recent arrest of another Australian in Melbourne, at the request of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, as significant steps by Australia to support the global fight against terrorism, Minister Bogollagama urged the Australian government to proscribe the LTTE as a terrorist organisation, the Foreign

Ministry said.Such a measure would provide the legal framework for the authorities to take effective action against fund raising and propaganda activities by the LTTE and its fronts operating on Australian soil.

With the restoration of democracy to the Eastern Province and the conflict situation being confined to two districts in the Northern Province, Sri Lanka has once again emerged as a safe destination for foreign tourists. He emphasised the need to restore air links between the two countries.

Minister Bogollagama apprised the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thongioun Sisoulith, on the current situation in Sri Lanka and efforts taken by the Government to combat LTTE terrorism.

In this context, he emphasized the need to curb LTTE operations in the region, such as money laundering, illicit arms procurement and human trafficking which have far reaching consequences on countries affected by its network. Both sides agreed to take early follow up action to conclude an MOU on defence and intelligence co-operation.

Minister Bogollagama also met his Philippine counterpart, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Alberto G. Romulo. They recalled their previous meeting in Manila in August 2007 and reviewed the progress achieved in regard to the signing of an MOU on defence co-operation, Philippine assistance for the establishment of a Coast Guard Unit in Sri Lanka and training of Sri Lankan security forces personnel in the Philippines.

The Philippine Foreign Secretary said that Filipinos had great affection towards the people of Sri Lanka and that he was particularly impressed with Sri Lanka's natural scenic beauty. Minister Bogollagama briefed his Philippine counterpart extensively on Sri Lanka's current developments.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who was associated at the discussions with the Foreign Minister briefed on the follow-up action taken with regard to the draft MOU on defence co-operation and the concept paper being finalized for the establishment of a Coast Guard Unit in Sri Lanka.

At his meeting with the Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, Minister Bogollagama shared his views on the benefits of ARF membership for countries in the Asia-Pacific region as a useful platform to discuss defence and security co-operation, as well as matters of mutual concern to member states.

The Myanmar Foreign Minister thanked Sri Lanka for the generous and spontaneous assistance given to the victims of the recent Cyclone Nargis which struck Myanmar.

Minister Bogollagama said that there is broad support within SAARC for Myanmar's admission as an Observer State.

Minister Bogollagama had a fruitful discussion with the South Korean Foreign and Trade Minister Yu Myung Hwan. The South Korean Minister indicated their intention to actively engage in the SAARC region to develop an effective partnership.

He also noted that Sri Lanka has been identified by South Korea as one of the priority countries for economic cooperation. Minister Bogollagama expressed his appreciation for the economic assistance extended by South Korea for Sri Lanka's socio-economic development in the last three decades.

He was thankful to the Korean Government for offering lucrative employment opportunities for a large number of Sri Lankans and said that Sri Lanka is keen to send larger number of skilled workers to South Korea for employment. The Foreign Minister will attend the Ministerial session of the ARF today.