Eastern Province - model for post-conflict peace and development - Foreign Minister
[Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 8.45 GMT]   

The re-development of Sri Lanka's Eastern Province now being carried out by the Government could serve as a model for post-conflict peace building and development, said Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at a meeting with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. 

Foreign Minister Bogollagama called on the international community, including the UN, to join in complementing the Sri Lanka Government's efforts in uplifting the economic standards of the people of the country's
Eastern Province, where considerable area had recently been secured from the LTTE. 

He also called upon the international community to support Sri Lanka's efforts to deal with the LTTE as a terrorist organization and assist in curbing LTTE fund raising and arms procurement activities, states a Press
Release issued by Sri Lanka's Permanent Mission to the UN on the Foreign Minister's visit.

Minister Bogollagama who met the Secretary General in New York yesterday (March 13) briefed him on efforts currently under way in Sri Lanka to find a political settlement to the present conflict. The Minister detailed the process that had been pursued over the past 13 months in this regard by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, with the aim of seeking a southern consensus for a political settlement, after considering the views of all stakeholders.

The Secretary General was apprised of the tangible measures taken by the Government over the past few months to improve the human rights situation in the country. These included the investigation into instances of alleged human rights violations and preventing such incidents in the future. The Minister said the Sri Lanka Government will remain responsible and accountable in this area. 

Minister Bogollagama thanked the Secretary General for the every prompt statement issued when a group of foreign ambassadors in Sri Lanka who traveled to Batticaloa on a humanitarian mission last month, came under LTTE mortar fire. He said the LTTE must understand that they cannot hinder the efforts of the Government, as well as the international donor community, in providing relief to the people. 

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon who recalled his earlier meetings with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said he had a deep personal regard for the President and appreciated the daunting challenges faced by Sri Lanka.

He complimented Sri Lanka for maintaining a strong working relationship with the UN especially in the reform of the UN, where the country's representation plays a very productive role. 

The Foreign Minister also met with Ms. Ann Veneman, Executive Director UNICEF and Mr. Kemal Dervis, UNDP Administrator and other senior UN officials. 

He was accompanied at the meeting with the SG by Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka in the UN and senior officials of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. 

The UN Secretary General was accompanied by Mr. Vijay Nambiar, Chef de Cabinet, Ms. Angela Kane, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and other UN officials.

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Last Updated Date: March 14, 2007 - 8.45 GMT