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Friday, March 13, 2009 - 09.00 GMT |
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Prabhakaran always for personal fiefdom -
Liam Fox |
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It was evident all along that the LTTE
leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was not
interested in a political solution to the
issues in Sri Lanka and the Tamil people,
but in establishing a personal fiefdom for
himself, said the British Shadow Defence
Secretary Liam Fox is discussions with
President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees
today.
He was appreciative of the leadership of
President Rajapaksa and his ability to
muster a powerful coalition that brought in
divergent political positions; and by this
to proceed with his initiative to free the
country of terrorism.
President Rajapaksa explained to Dr. Liam
Fox the consistent policy of the government
with regard to eradicating terrorism, and
addressing the problems of the minorities in
Sri Lanka through dialogue towards a
political solution.
Pressure on TNA
Dr Fox said there was a need for the
international community, acting through the
Tamil Diaspora, to bring pressure on the
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to join other
political parties represented in parliament
to work out a political solution to the
problems of the minorities in Sri Lanka.
He said that if the Tamil Diaspora channeled
the funds it gave to the LTTE for the
development of the North and East, there
could be much progress in the country and
development for the minority communities.
President Rajapaksa apprised the British
Shadow Defence Secretary, who was familiar
with the efforts of earlier governments too
to seek peace in the country, of the
humanitarian operation by the security
forces to defeat the LTTE, eradicate
terrorism and restore peace and democracy in
the country.
English & IT
Dr. Fox, a leading Conservative MP from
Britain, said he was greatly impressed by
President Rajapaksa’s initiative on the
spread of IT and English in the country. He
said there was big potential for education
to bring people together. The role of the
international community at this stage was
not to keep raising question, but to see how
best to help in bringing the communities in
Sri Lanka together, he said.
He also said a future Conservative
Government would assist in the spread of IT
and English, through the British Council and
other agencies.
He outlined the necessity for an independent
fund for the rational channeling of
assistance from abroad to improve the living
conditions of people in less developed
countries.
Dr. Fox said the British government had
confused issues by its proposal for a
special envoy to Sri Lanka, which matter he
had taken up with the UK Government.
He said the strong political position of
President Rajapaksa today, and his
leadership, had opened a unique window of
opportunity for Sri Lanka to end a long
standing problem and move on a new road to
progress, with lasting peace in the country.
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