FM returns with Indian, German assurances

No aid cut, no lifting of EU ban on LTTE, says Germany

By Chandani Kirinde

Newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who undertook a whirlwind 96 hour trip to India and Germany reiterated the government’s call to the international community to take all steps to stop the flow of funds to the LTTE so that the group cannot procure arms and ammunition to indulge in terrorism.

“This was the main message we got across and there was a major endorsement and reciprocation for the stand we have taken with regards to the LTTE,” the Minister told reporters on his arrival at Katunanyake last evening.

In India, the Minister met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well as Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee where he received an undertaking that Indian would give its maximum assistance to help the country’s economy as well as the Mahinda Rajapaksa government in its bid to find a political solution to the problems of the country.

In Germany, Mr. Bogollagama met German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and received a firm endorsement that there would be no suspension of German aid to Sri Lanka and that the ban imposed on the LTTE by the European Union would continue.

Mr. Bogollagama, who was accompanied by newly appointed Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona also detailed the constitutional reform process that the government had undertaken.

“Today all important parties are represented in the government. Smaller parties have also come into the government and we are in a better position to address the peace process than ever before,” the Foreign Minister had explained to his German and Indian counterparts.

Mr. Bogollagama said that he had briefed these leaders that President Rajapaksa had gone on record stating his willingness to start the peace process at anytime.

It is the LTTE that is not coming to the peace process and engaging in terrorist attacks. But we are prepared to make them stake holders in the process of achieving peace in our country, he added.