Lanka's foreign policy commended

Sri Lanka's foreign policy has received high commendation from the international community. Under the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama and his dynamic Foreign Secretary, Dr. Palitha Kohona, our international relations are bound to strengthen further.

Top diplomats at the reception hosted by Minister Bogollagama and Ministry Secretary Dr. Kohona at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies last week, expressed positive views on Sri Lanka's foreign policy.

They were of the opinion that Sri Lanka's struggle against terrorism has no impact on foreign aid that is needed to develop the country. They also endorsed the view that disappearances and legal arrests on matters relating to a country's national security are two different subjects altogether and could not be treated as equals. This is contrary to the views expressed by few of our own politicians who are known opportunists.

While the neighbouring South Asian countries continued to extend their support towards a unified Sri Lanka, Western diplomats too seem to have a greater understanding on the actual problems faced by Sri Lanka. All of them have a positive view on Sri Lanka and its development policy.

At the same time, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government have continued to keep faith in the All-Party Conference to develop a Southern dialogue to make way for a lasting solution to the problems faced by our country. While answering terrorism in the language it deserves, the Government believes that a broader and honourable political solution should be the final answer for genuine problems faced by our fellow citizens in the North.

It is indeed heartening to note that India is coming out strongly to combat terrorism in the region. As the big brother of the subcontinent, India has a greater responsibility and ability to take the leadership. This is exactly what they are doing now.

Chief Minister of the Southern Indian State of Tami Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, has warned that stern action would be taken against leaders of political parties, if they were found to have a nexus with the LTTE. His latest warning comes in the backdrop of reports that the terrorist organisation, which is banned in India, is smuggling arms and ammunition from Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Minister said that strict instructions have been issued not to show any mercy to these leaders if their nexus with the LTTE was established. India has maintained a strict vigil against those who were attempting to supply arms to the Tigers and some had been arrested. Several boats carrying arms and ammunition have been seized and the cargo destroyed.

Indian police in the coastal areas of the State had been asked to maintain a strict vigil over the movement of boats besides monitoring the movement of those known to be LTTE sympathisers. Merely a week after the seizure of a Tiger terrorist boat, laden with high explosives, by the Coast Guard in Tamil Nadu, the five persons arrested on board revealed that their target was a port or harbour in Northern Sri Lanka.

This is a serious threat not only to India or Sri Lanka, but also to the entire world. At a time world leaders are stressing the importance of eliminating terrorism, it is important that countries in our region join hands to develop a safety net to put an end to such terrorist acts. India's initiative in this regard is commendable.

While joining hands with the rest of the world to combat terrorism, Sri Lanka has always maintained its stand on a permanent political solution to problems faced by all communities, especially those who have become unfortunate victims of the LTTE's ruthless terrorism.

In order to secure a political solution, the Government has reiterated the need to find the correct formula through the All-Party Conference. When the recommendations of Prof. Tissa Vitharana's Committee are made, those could be discussed at party level to fine tune the proposals.

Once we arrive at the final decision, those proposals would be brought before the people of this country. It is only after a referendum to get the people's mandate and a two-thirds majority in Parliament that the Government would take steps to implement them. This would take several months.

We cannot rush into conclusions or find instant solutions to a problem which has afflicted our nation for nearly three decades. The aim of the Government is to present a comprehensive solution that could meet the aspirations of all communities of this country.

President Rajapaksa firmly believes in democracy and the power of people. He treats all communities of this country in an equal manner. His dream is a unified Sri Lanka where all communities could live in harmony.

The peace-loving public should rally round the President and back the All-Party Conference to arrive at the most appropriate solution.