Jordan pledges to monitor and counter LTTE activities

Dr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to Jordan from 1st to 2nd August 2007. The main objective of the visit was to undertake follow up action relating to the recent visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Jordan and discuss various issues including bilateral, multilateral, tourism, trade, investment promotion, cultural promotion and to finalise several agreements and MoUs which are in the pipeline.

Jordan confirmed that following the request made by President Rajapaksa to King Abdullah of Jordan, steps were being taken expeditiously to address the problem of Sri Lankan visa overstayers in the Kingdom. Jordan also confirmed its total opposition to terrorism and expressed its willingness to cooperate with Sri Lankan authorities in monitoring LTTE fund raising activities in the Kingdom and in exchanging intelligence. Jordan also confirmed the visit of a large Jordanian business delegation to Sri Lanka in September.

Dr. Palitha Kohona met Dr. Khaldoun Talhouni, Secretary General, Foreign Ministry of Jordan on 01st August 2007 along with Dr. A. W. Mohottala, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Jordan. Dr. Kohona expressed his appreciation to the Jordanian Government for providing job opportunities for more than 60,000 Sri Lankans in Jordan.

He expressed the hope that more technically qualified Sri Lankans will be able to secure employment in the Kingdom. Views were exchanged on measures to increase tourism to Sri Lanka.