MALAYSIA has pledged to cooperate with the Sri Lankan Government in preventing LTTE remnants from carrying out operations from countries in the region. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama was given this assurance when his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman called on him on the sidelines of the 15th NAM Ministerial Meeting in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
Minister Bogollagama met his Malaysian counterpart to discuss matters of mutual concern. Minister Bogollagama expressed his gratitude for the assistance and cooperation extended by Malaysia during recent times, when Sri Lanka was fighting terrorism. This, he asserted, Sri Lanka did while trying to continue the development process, amidst ramifications of the global financial crisis.
Thanking Malaysia for supporting Sri Lanka's application to join the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Minister Bogollagama extended an invitation to his counterpart to attend the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Colombo in October this year. He also appreciated ongoing cooperation on security matters between the two countries.
Minister Datuk Anifah Aman conveyed his congratulations to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the defeat of terrorism. He said that Malaysia looked forward to assist Sri Lanka in its economic and social development process in the post-conflict era.
Explaining the last stages of the humanitarian operation, Minister Bogollagama stated that Military Forces were able to rescue 300,000 civilians who were held as human shield by the LTTE.
He said the Government was providing them with maximum facilities in the welfare centres, while demining has commenced to pave the way for the resettlement of the displaced people. He stressed that 10,000 cadres of the LTTE had surrendered to the Security Forces and that only for those who had committed serious crimes due process of law would be initiated, while other would be rehabilitated. Minister Bogollagama explained the outcome of the visit of UN Secretary General to Sri Lanka, stating that an important joint statement was issued, which focused on humanitarian assistance of IDPs, reconciliation process and accountability.
Clarifying a point made by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Minister Bogollagama also emphasized that there was adequate access for UN and INGOs to the Relief Centres.
Minister Bogollagama also met his Mauritian and Egyptian counterparts on the sidelines of the NAM Ministerial Meeting.
(Courtesy : Daily News)
