24.7.2008
SINGAPORE:
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday held bilateral
discussions with his counterparts from Australia, Myanmar,
Laos, South Korea, and the Philippines on the sidelines
of the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore. During
a meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith,
Minister Bogollagama expressed serious concern over the
activities of the LTTE and its front organizations through
its influence over certain misguided elements in the Sri
Lankan diaspora in Australia.
Citing
the ongoing criminal prosecution against three Australians
of Sri Lankan origin, on charges relating to raising funds
for terrorism as well as the recent arrest of another
Australian in Melbourne, at the request of the US Federal
Bureau of Investigation, as significant steps by Australia
to support the global fight against terrorism, Minister
Bogollagama urged the Australian government to proscribe
the LTTE as a terrorist organisation, the Foreign Ministry
said.Such a measure would provide the legal framework
for the authorities to take effective action against fund
raising and propaganda activities by the LTTE and its
fronts operating on Australian soil.
With
the restoration of democracy to the Eastern Province and
the conflict situation being confined to two districts
in the Northern Province, Sri Lanka has once again emerged
as a safe destination for foreign tourists. He emphasised
the need to restore air links between the two countries.
Minister
Bogollagama apprised the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
Thongioun Sisoulith, on the current situation in Sri Lanka
and efforts taken by the Government to combat LTTE terrorism.
In
this context, he emphasized the need to curb LTTE operations
in the region, such as money laundering, illicit arms
procurement and human trafficking which have far reaching
consequences on countries affected by its network. Both
sides agreed to take early follow up action to conclude
an MOU on defence and intelligence co-operation.
Minister
Bogollagama also met his Philippine counterpart, Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, Alberto G. Romulo. They recalled
their previous meeting in Manila in August 2007 and reviewed
the progress achieved in regard to the signing of an MOU
on defence co-operation, Philippine assistance for the
establishment of a Coast Guard Unit in Sri Lanka and training
of Sri Lankan security forces personnel in the Philippines.
The
Philippine Foreign Secretary said that Filipinos had great
affection towards the people of Sri Lanka and that he
was particularly impressed with Sri Lanka’s natural
scenic beauty. Minister Bogollagama briefed his Philippine
counterpart extensively on Sri Lanka’s current developments.
Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who was associated at the
discussions with the Foreign Minister briefed on the follow-up
action taken with regard to the draft MOU on defence co-operation
and the concept paper being finalized for the establishment
of a Coast Guard Unit in Sri Lanka.
At
his meeting with the Myanmar Foreign Minister U Nyan Win,
Minister Bogollagama shared his views on the benefits
of ARF membership for countries in the Asia-Pacific region
as a useful platform to discuss defence and security co-operation,
as well as matters of mutual concern to member states.
The
Myanmar Foreign Minister thanked Sri Lanka for the generous
and spontaneous assistance given to the victims of the
recent Cyclone Nargis which struck Myanmar.
Minister
Bogollagama said that there is broad support within SAARC
for Myanmar’s admission as an Observer State.
Minister
Bogollagama had a fruitful discussion with the South Korean
Foreign and Trade Minister Yu Myung Hwan. The South Korean
Minister indicated their intention to actively engage
in the SAARC region to develop an effective partnership.
He
also noted that Sri Lanka has been identified by South
Korea as one of the priority countries for economic cooperation.
Minister Bogollagama expressed his appreciation for the
economic assistance extended by South Korea for Sri Lanka’s
socio-economic development in the last three decades.
He
was thankful to the Korean Government for offering lucrative
employment opportunities for a large number of Sri Lankans
and said that Sri Lanka is keen to send larger number
of skilled workers to South Korea for employment. The
Foreign Minister will attend the Ministerial session of
the ARF today.
Courtesy - Daily
News