Sri Lanka having a long- standing democratic tradition, it is inevitable that with the end of the extraordinary situation of terror faced by the country for almost three decades, there would now follow a progressive return to normalcy accompanied by on-going efforts towards the further strengthening of good governance, while having regard to transitional law enforcement and security challenges.

The delegation of senior officials of the Government to Brussels made this statement during their meeting with the EC Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, to apprise the EU of developments in the context of the current post-conflict scenario.

The delegation had in-depth and substantive discussion on GSP+ related concerns with the officials handling Trade and External Relations matters in the Commission.

The Government of Sri Lanka is committed to being strongly engaged with the international community, including Sri Lanka’s key trade and economic partners, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Brussels stated in its media release.

The delegation further pointed out that the return to normalcy in turn provides a necessary basis for a continuing engagement with the European Union and that there has already been palpable progress on several areas such as the re-settlement of the Internally Displaced and the rehabilitation of those conscripted as child soldiers.

The delegation added that Sri Lanka envisages a methodology of work that would best permit the issues to be addressed in a purposeful manner.

In their discussions with the Director General of ECHO, Peter Zangl, the delegation stated that "the humanitarian catastrophe" predicted by some quarters in the aftermath of the end of the conflict situation was successfully averted, followed-by an equally successful re-settlement of the bulk of the Internally Displaced. The remaining 70,000 persons in the Welfare Villages are awaiting the completion of demining to return to their homes.

In a meeting with Mr. Robert Cooper, Director General for External and Politico-Military Affairs of the European Council, the delegation underlined the importance Sri Lanka attaches to widening and deepening her ties with the European Union.

At the meeting with the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator of the Council of the European Union, Gilles De Kerchove, the delegation stressed the importance of the EU taking action to list the TRO, TCC and other known LTTE front organizations operating on European soil.

The delegation met with Madam Louise Arbour, President of the International Crisis Group (ICG) and former High Commissioner for Human Rights of the UN and briefed the ICG President of the many positive economic and political developments taking place in Sri Lanka, with the end of the conflict situation.

The delegation comprised the Attorney General, Mohan Pieris P.C., Secretary of the Ministry of Finance & Planning, P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary of the Ministry of Justice & Law Reforms, Suhada Gamalath and the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romesh Jayasinghe.