Sri Lankan FM discusses illegal fund raising from Sri Lankan diaspora in UK
[March 16, 2006 - 8.00 GMT]

At a meeting Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had with the British Minister of State for the Home Department Tony McNulty, yesterday, they discussed issues relating to illegal fund raising from the Sri Lankan diaspora living in the UK. They agreed on the importance of sharing information in this regard and outlined practical measures for further cooperation between the two Governments in combating financing of terrorism. Immigration and related matters were also taken up at this meeting.

Addressing the prestigious International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London later in the day, on ‘The Challenges faced by democracies like Sri Lanka in dealing with terrorism’, Minister Samaraweera said that despite the dilemma of having to negotiate with a group who has yet to renounce terrorism and violence, the Sri Lanka Government is fully committed to a negotiated political solution to achieve durable peace in the country.  He emphasised that a solution would need to uphold democracy, pluralism and human rights in bringing about a lasting peace to the people of Sri Lanka.

Minister Samaraweera pointed out that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken a new approach towards the peace process, since being elected last November, by consulting all democratic, political parties in order to obtain consensus on the way forward.  He upheld that such an inclusive, broad based and transparent strategy is a clear indication of the Government’s commitment in finding a durable solution. The lecture which was well attended was followed by a Question and Answer session.

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Last Updated Date: March 16, 2006 -8.00 GMT