Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris told his Canadian counterpart that with the end of conflict in Sri Lanka, and the return of peace and stability to all parts of the country, there was no reason for people to flee the country on any grounds. ‘The UNHCR has also recognized this position in a recent statement’, he said.

During bilateral discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, Lawrence Cannon on the sidelines of the 65th UN General Assembly, the Canadian Minister said that his Government had appointed a Special Representative on the matter of human smuggling, who will be visiting Sri Lanka soon. Minister Peiris welcomed the proposed visit and stated that Canada and Sri Lanka could work together in preventing such illegal human smuggling operations which also had links to LTTE elements and transnational organized crime networks.

Minister Peiris sought the support of the Canadian Government in taking effective action against LTTE elements in Canada so that activities detrimental to the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka will not take place on Canadian soil. Minister Peiris said that in this manner, Canada will also be strengthening global efforts to combat terrorism.

Minister Peiris also met the Foreign Ministers of Canada, Spain and Korea.

Following is the press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs

The Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris continued bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the 65th UNGA in New York.

On 25th September, Minister Peiris met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada H.E. Mr. Lawrence Cannon, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube, and the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Shin Kak-Soo.

During his meeting with the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Peiris briefed the Canadian Minister on the optimistic mood in the country following the defeat of terrorism. The Canadian Minister expressed satisfaction with the manner in which Sri Lanka had expedited outstanding post-conflict issues including the resettlement of IDPs and initiating progress on the reconciliation process.

Minister Peiris informed his Canadian counterpart that following the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka some limited elements of the LTTE have now transferred their base of operations overseas, including to Canada. The Minister sought the support of the Canadian Government in taking effective action against LTTE elements in Canada so that activities detrimental to the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka will not take place on Canadian soil. Minister Peiris said that in this manner, Canada will also be strengthening global efforts to combat terrorism.

The Canadian Minister briefed Minister Peiris on the action taken by Canada in cracking down fund-raising by LTTE and its front organizations based in Canada. He also informed the Minister that the LTTE is outlawed as a terrorist group in Canada.

The two Ministers also discussed the recent incidents relating to human smuggling from Sri Lanka to Canada on board the “Ocean Lady” and “Sun Sea”. The Canadian Government had appointed a Special Representative on this matter who will be visiting Sri Lanka soon. The Minister welcomed the proposed visit and stated that Canada and Sri Lanka could work together in preventing such illegal human smuggling operations which also had links to LTTE elements and transnational organized crime networks. The Minister briefed his Canadian counterpart that with the end of conflict in Sri Lanka, and with the return of peace and stability to all parts of the country, there was no reason for people to flee the country on any grounds. The UNHCR has also recognized this position in a recent statement. The meeting ended with Minister Peiris encouraging his Canadian counterpart to visit Sri Lanka in the near future.

On 25th September 2010, Minister Peiris also met with his counterpart from Spain, H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube. The Spanish Minister congratulated Sri Lanka in its success for ending terrorism. Spain too had suffered from terrorism and therefore was pleased with Sri Lanka’s success. Minister Cuyaube hoped that Sri Lanka and Spain could collaborate in multilateral efforts to put in place a global strategy against terrorism.

Minister Peiris briefed his Spanish counterpart on the post-conflict progress in Sri Lanka. He also identified several areas in which Spain and Sri Lanka could work together. Spain was one of the largest tourist destinations in the world and in the present context where Sri Lanka was experiencing a large increase in tourist arrivals, Spain and Sri Lanka could collaborate in the tourism sector including in the hotel sector. Minister Peiris also referred to Spanish expertise in the area of renewable sources for energy and identified this as another potential area for cooperation between the two countries. The meeting ended with the Spanish Minister assuring Minister Peiris of Spain’s friendship towards Sri Lanka, and that Spain would also act as a friend of Sri Lanka within the EU.

Minister Peiris also met with H.E. Mr. Shin Kak-Soo, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on the sidelines of the 65th UNGA on 25th September 2010.

Minister Peiris thanked the Korean Minister for the significant bilateral assistance received by Sri Lanka from Korea in several sectors. Minister Peiris also appreciated the intake of Sri Lankan manpower into Korea which had recently been increased by the Korean Government. As a result of the close bilateral relationship, Sri Lanka has now introduced Korean language as a subject in its national curriculum.

The Korean Minister expressed the satisfaction of the Korean Government that Sri Lanka was moving from conflict towards a post-conflict phase of reconciliation and reconstruction. He informed that Korea was pleased that Sri Lanka is the 2nd largest development partner for Korea, and that there are 20 ongoing projects in Sri Lanka worth over US$ 405 million. Korea has aligned its development assistance to Sri Lanka with the priority areas identified by Sri Lanka in its national development framework. Furthermore, as a result of the positive impression held by Korean employers regarding Sri Lankan workers, Sri Lanka’s quota for employment in Korea has been increased by 44% recently.

Minister Peiris thanked the Korean Minister for the constructive assistance given to Sri Lanka and for the warm sentiments in the bilateral relations between the two countries. As a token of Sri Lanka’s appreciation, Sri Lanka will donate an elephant to the Government of Korea as a goodwill gesture. The Korean Minister thanked Minister Peiris on behalf of the Government of Korea for this donation. He informed Minister Peiris that elaborate arrangements were being made by the Korean Government to receive the gift.