9/6/2007

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama while forwarding gratitudes towards the French Government for actions taken to curb the activities of the LTTE on French soil urged continued vigilance by the French authorities to crack down on terrorist agents.

These requests were made following discussions held between Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and French Minister for Immigration, Integration and National Identity Brice Hortefeux in Paris on Tuesday (Sep 04)

The two Ministers also discussed the ramifications resulting from the activities carried out by persons functioning as agents of the LTTE in France. They noted that upto 14 LTTE leaders were presently under arrest for terrorist related crimes.

The French Immigration Minister noted that France hosted a large Sri Lankan population which comprised of students and mostly unskilled workers. He said the French government was keen to ensure that those entering France for work do so legally, and that they bring in skills that supported the development of the French economy, in keeping with the new policies of French President Sarkozy.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister while welcoming the offer to send skilled workers as well as to encourage more students to study in France, noted the limited number of Institutes that taught French in Sri Lanka and the need to enhance French teaching institutes in Sri Lanka. He requested the support of the French government to bolster the capacity for French teaching in Sri Lanka.

Discussing the presence of illegal Sri Lankan migrants in France Foreign Minister Bogollagama said it was estimated that about 120,000 Sri Lankans lived in France, were mostly Tamil and that many of them enjoy refugee status. He said it has also been suggested that up to 30,000 of those would fall into the illegal category.

It was noted that the LTTE had numerous front organisations operating in Paris and other cities and that many asylum seekers were abusing the liberal asylum policies of the West.

The Foreign Minister is on a three day visit to France to meet with his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner and other senior French Officials.

Associated with Foreign Minister Bogollagama were Chitranganee Wagiswara, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in France, Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinha, Director General/Public Communications, Mr. Rodney Perera, Director General/West, and Himalle Arunatilaka, Counsellor/Head of Chancery.

Courtesy: , France