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| | Archives Jan-Feb 2010 |
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Sri Lanka strongly protests British Foreign Secretary’s participation at meeting of Global Tamil Forum, an LTTE front organization
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama summoned the British Acting High Commissioner
in Colombo Mark Gooding to the Foreign Ministry today to express Sri Lanka’s strong
protest with regard to the British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth
Affairs David Miliband’s intent to address the London Conference of the pro-LTTE
’Global Tamil Forum’ (GTF) today (24/2). The Foreign Minister informed the Acting High
Commissioner that the GTF brings together under one umbrella, several LTTE front
organizations based mostly in the western countries, and that its objective is to
create a separate state of Tamil Eelam. The Foreign Minister in this context
emphasized that Foreign Secretary Miliband, by participating at today’s GTF
Meeting in London, would unfortunately lend credibility to an organization
which is propagating the separatist agenda of the LTTE, and
would be acting in a manner inimical to the national interest of Sri Lanka and its legitimate government.
Read more...
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Comprehensive Sri Lanka promotion in Europe launched in Brussels
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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism is
holding a week long promotion of Sri Lanka in Brussels this week, a programme
intended to be replicated in other European capitals. Centered on Sri Lanka’s
participation as the host country at the BELASIA annual travel fair which projects over
25 Asian countries as a tourist destinations, it included tourism and travel
promotion, a Sri Lanka Food festival, performances by
a Sri Lankan dance troupe and Sri Lankan lace, masks, handicrafts and gem displays.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka Says will Continue to Engage with the EU to Prevent the GSP+ Temporary Suspension Coming into Operation in 6 Months
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Responding to the EU’s decision to temporarily suspend the GSP+ trade concessions to
Sri Lanka in 6 months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo in a statement
issued on 16 February 2010 said “Sri Lanka values her longstanding relations with
the EU” and “will therefore continue her engagement with the EU in the upcoming 6
months with a view to sensitizing the European side through a constructive dialogue,
concerning both the rapid, demonstrable and sustainable progress that has been
gained since the end of the conflict situation, as well as the further
steps that would be taken in that direction.”
The statement expressed confidence “that the EU and its
Member States would, during the process of engagement, pay due
attention to the manifold challenges yet faced by Sri Lanka” and was hopeful that this
“would result in the timely reversal of the temporary suspension, thereby enabling the
people of Sri Lanka to continue to draw on the GSP+ facility for their economic
empowerment, including for the post-conflict recovery and rehabilitation
of the North and of the East”.
Read more...
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Supreme Court takes up Gen. Fonseka’s arrest
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On 12 February 2010, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka took up a Fundamental Rights
application filed by Ms. Anoma Fonseka, wife of Gen. (Rtd.) Sarath Fonseka, Former
Army Commander/Chief of Defence Staff, alleging the violation of fundamental rights
of her husband, on his arrest and detention. The Supreme Court granted Leave to Proceed
in the case and allowed four weeks to the Attorney General’s Department to file
objections in this regard. The request by the
petitioner for interim relief, would be taken up by the Supreme Court on 23 February 2010.
Earlier today, President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured Opposition Leader Ranil
Wickremasinghe that the Rule of Law must prevail and that if the allegations against
Gen. (Rtd.) Fonseka are not established he will be free. The President made this
observation when the latter called on him at Janadhipathi Mandiraya this morning
to discuss the issue of the detention of Gen. (Rtd.) Fonseka. The President
explained that investigations are underway and due process
would be followed and that there was no reason for any concern over his detention.
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Arrest of Gen. Fonseka: due process of law is being followed-Foreign Minister Bogollagama
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama addressing the Diplomatic Corps at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs on 11th February 2010 stated that the decision to arrest Gen.
Sarath Fonseka on 8th February with a view to instituting legal action was taken
only after careful consideration. He also stated that the Government had very
strong reasons to apprehend Gen. Fonseka that had acted in a manner prejudicial
to the responsibilities of the senior posts he held during his service as a military officer.
Read more...
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False Reports Related to the Arrest and Detention of General Fonseka Denied
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Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe has refuted false reports
spread about the circumstances related to the arrest of former CDS/Army Commander
General Sarath Fonseka. Addressing a news conference at the Media Centre
for National Security (MCNS) in Colombo today ( 10 February 2010), he said
the former Army Commander/CDS is being treated in a manner befitting a General.
He has been given maximum security and all facilities in the Naval Headquarters.
He also refuted press reports to the effect that the General's wife has not
been able to visit him. He asserted that the General's wife Mrs.
Anoma Fonseka visited the General with lawyer Mr. Wijayadasa
Rajapakshe and spent 03 hours last evening and
also took him meals. She also visited her husband today (10).
Read more...
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General Sarath Fonseka taken into Custody by Military Police
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Former Army Commander / Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka
was taken into custody by the Military Police last night (8 February 2010)
on the basis of alleged charges violating clause 57(1) of the Army Act.
Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, addressing a media
briefing held at MCNS today said, the military police are conducting
inquiries into his alleged connections and dealings of a political nature
while being a member of the national Security Council which is the most
powerful body in charge of national security. During the period of six
months after an Army Officer/Soldier resigns or retires from the Army,
he is bound by the Army Act, the Defence Spokesman added.
Elaborating, the Military Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe said,
after compilation of the summary of evidence, the Attorney General’s Department
will determine whether the detainee will be Court Martialled or not. Answering a
question, the Military Spokesman said any one guilty in a Court Martial has the
right to appeal against the verdict in the Court of Appeal and finally in the Supreme
Court. The former Army Commander/CDS has all the constitutional rights, such as unhindered access to his lawyer and family.
He may nominate his own lawyer, Military Spokesman explained.
The civilians already arrested by police in this connection have already been handed over to the CID for further inquiries.
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Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels celebrates 62nd Anniversary of the
National Day of Sri Lanka
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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels together with Sri Lankan expatriates of Belgium and
Luxembourg celebrated the 62nd Anniversary of the National Day of Sri Lanka on 7
February 2010, at the Sri Lanka Residence in Brussels..
Read more...
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“Many of the EU concerns relating to GSP+ addressed and Sri Lanka has and will continue to engage on the remaining issues” – Ambassador Aryasinha
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Commenting on the ’current status of GSP+ concessions to Sri Lanka’,
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha has said,
“no formal decision on temporary suspension of GSP+ has been taken by the European Council
at present” and that “a decision is expected later this month”. Noting that “many of the concerns
that had given rise to the European Commission’s psychological impetus to review Sri Lanka’s suitability
for the continuance of the GSP+, have already been addressed on the ground”, he added that “Sri Lanka has,
and will continue to engage with the European Institutions in order to address the remaining issues of concern,
in a manner that does not compromise Sri Lanka’s national interest. However, such engagement needs to be on terms
respectful of one another and with sincerity and purposefulness by both parties. Sri Lanka expects the EU to do
the same. There should be no setting of unattainable targets, no shifting of goal posts and no attempt to use
Sri Lanka-EU relations to serve domestic political agendas.”
Read more...
GOSL Statement in Committee
MEP Comments in Committee
MEP’s letters to the European Commission
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Nation building through corruption-free commitment and discipline – President
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the nation could only be built through
commitment, discipline and elimination of corruption. “You are aware that during
the operation to defend the country, I protected the heroes who fought for the country.
I represented them everywhere. And now in the nation building process, I will protect the
honest and skilled people who work for the betterment of the country. The country cannot be
developed with harassment, gross punishments or by the gun. Discipline is not revenge.
The nation can only be built through commitment, discipline and elimination of corruption,”
stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa at
the 62nd Independence Day celebration in Kandy today (04 Feb).
Read more...
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National Day Message - H.E the President
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The 62nd anniversary of independence we mark today has special significance
being the first such celebration of our freedom since the defeat of terrorism
in our country last year, and also as it takes place soon after our people
have expressed their firm and resounding commitment to democracy.
Read more...
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National Day Message - Hon. Prime Minister
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Freedom is desired by all living beings.
Sri Lanka enriched by Buddhist values,
is a nation which gives importance to the freedom of Individual.
Inhumane acts of a few in the society violate the
freedom of the entire society. The value of freedom is deeply
felt when it is lost, more than when it is enjoyed.
Read more...
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National Day Message - Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Rising from the shackles of colonialism 62 years ago and annihilating an
almost three decade long grip of terrorism from our shores eight months ago,
we celebrate this anniversary of Independence in 2010, with a great sense of
oneness and pride. Nearly half of our country’s contemporary independent history
has witnessed a struggle against the brutal forces of terrorism which sought to tear asunder
the very sovereignty of our great nation gained by our forefathers.
Read more...
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EU Parliamentarians support Sri Lanka’s retention of GSP+
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In letters addressed to the 27 Ambassadors of Member States of the European Union,
Geoffrey Van Orden, Chairman of the European Parliament’s cross-party ’Friends of Sri Lanka’
group and long-standing member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called on EU countries to
“not merely rubber-stamp the inappropriate conclusions taken by EU bodies to cut GSP+ benefits
to Sri Lanka…… but to take account of the wider situation and improvements on the ground.”
...... He cautioned that hostile action against Sri Lanka by the EU “is bound to have both
immediate and longer-term consequences both for the well-being of the people of Sri Lanka
and for Europe’s relationship with that country,” and pointed out that such an approach
“does no justice to Sri Lanka or indeed to the EU’s role”.
According to a statement issued by the ’Friends of Sri Lanka’
dated 29 January 2010, Mr Van Orden also drew the attention of the
27 member countries to an exchange of views on ’Sri Lanka and GSP+’
held on 14 January 2010 at the International Trade Committee of the
European Parliament, where Spokesmen for three of the main political groups
clearly opposed the withdrawal of Sri Lanka’s GSP+ status.
Read more...
MEP Comments in Committee
MEP’s letters to the European Commission
GOSL Statement in Committee
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REAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SRI LANKA-EU RELATIONS MORE STABLE
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luexembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha has said the conclusion
of the Presidential Election and the re-election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,
enables the EU “to re-calibrate its strategy, and find the best way possible to
get together and work with Sri Lanka over the coming years, in making Sri Lanka -
EU relations more stable”. He said “it has a real opportunity to do so,
through the manner in which it chooses to handle the GSP+ issue”.
Ambassador Aryasinha made this observation on Wednesday (27 January 2010)
at the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Countries
of South Asia, during a discussion on the “Sri Lankan Presidential Elections”.
Read more...
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Vote for a new beginning of peace and prosperity, President
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the people in Sri Lanka have voted for an end to division,
an end to terrorism, and for a new beginning of peace and prosperity.
“We are proud at this demonstration of the vitality of our democracy,” he said in
a statement following the reelection for a second term. The President pointed out
that the Presidential Election held yesterday (26), was the first free and fair election in which
the entire country could participate in nearly three decades, and also the first such
election since the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka in May last year.
Read more...
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Foreign Minister briefs diplomatic community following the Presidential election
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Briefing the Colombo based diplomatic community following the completion of the
Presidential Election, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollgama said there were several reasons why
the poll could be described as ’momentous’: it was the ”first electoral process to have been held on
a nationwide basis after our country was liberated from the menace of the terrorism that threatened for
over 2 ½ decades our territorial integrity and our peace and prosperity”: it also showed that “despite
the difficulties and hardships they had to endure and overcome during this long period, the commitment to
democratic governance of our people was not in any way dimmed, but rather encouraged to burn even brighter”:
and, the election took place in an atmosphere of peace when compared to some earlier occasions on which the
then prevalent sinister and anti-democratic forces did everything within their power,
to intimidate voters from casting their ballots.
Read more...
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Comments by Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to International and other media on the Presidential Election
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“I appreciate this opportunity to meet with all of you, most of whom are covering for
the international media our forthcoming Presidential Election. I thought it
useful to share some background concerning the national preparations for the poll tomorrow, especially for the benefit of those who are
reporting on Sri Lanka while stationed outside the island... ”
Read more...
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Government of Sri Lanka calls for a Peaceful, Free and Democratic Election
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As the campaigning for the Presidential Election, scheduled for tomorrow January 26, 2010,
has come to a close, the Government of Sri Lanka is aware of the considerable interest abroad in the
first such election in which the entire country can participate freely,
since the decisive defeat of terrorism in the country in May last year.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka Embassy celebrates Thai Pongal festival
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The Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels on Sunday 17 January 2010 held a special pooja at the Embassy
premises, to commemorate Thai Pongal festival, In keeping with the decision made by the
Government to celebrate at the state level
the main religious events of the four great religions in Sri Lanka.
Read more...
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Sri Lanka says many of the concerns that had given rise to the EU’s psychological
impetus to review Sri Lanka’s GSP+ addressed
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Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luexembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha
on Thursday told the European Parliament, that at a time when many of the concerns
that had given rise to the European Commission’s psychological impetus
to consider reviewing Sri Lanka’s suitability for the continuance of the GSP+
had already been addressed on the ground, it is neither fair nor equitable for
the EU to seek to terminate the GSP+ facility to Sri Lanka. Addressing an exchange
of views on “the GSP+ and Sri Lanka” at the Parliament’s International Trade Committee
Chaired by Prof. Vital Moreira MEP, on 14 January 2010, he pointed out that the termination
of trade concessions is not a mere mechanical process that can be done arbitrarily,
but one that should be decided upon fully cognizant of its associated political
and socio-economic ramifications at the time of doing it, Aryasinha said, at a
time when the EU has shown considerable understanding and willingness to
accommodate the practical difficulties faced by some current GSP+ recipient
countries at variance from the norm with respect to some of the 27 UN conventions,
and are willing to review the rules of the scheme to accommodate others,
it is hard to understand why the same rubric is not being applied in the case of Sri Lanka.
Read more...
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