Govt ropes in Tamil Diaspora
Ananth PALAKIDNAR
The representatives of the Tamil Diaspora for peace and development
activities have expressed their support to the Government in its
initiatives in the rehabilitation and reconstruction activities of the
North and East, at a top level discussion that began in Mount Lavinia
yesterday.
Around twenty five representatives from seven countries, United
Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Norway, Germany, Switzerland and France
coordinated by Dr. Noel Nadesan of Australia participated at the first
ever interaction program between the Government and the Tamil Diaspora,
under the theme, ‘Diaspora Dialogue’ - let us join hands for the future
development of infrastructure, education, agriculture, fisheries,
tourism and other sectors in the North and East.
The first session was chaired by the Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha
Bogollagama yesterday with the participation of Ministers Prof. Tissa
Vitharana, Dew Gunasekera, Member of Parliament and Presidential
Advisor, Basil Rajapaksa, Foreign Secretary, Dr. Palitha Kohona and
Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga representing the
Government.
The Tamil group was briefed by the Foreign Minister on the overall
situation in the North and East and on the extensive plans to be put
forward by the Government to initiate rehabilitation and reconstruction
activities. Political, military and the economic aspects of the North
and East were also discussed. The representatives who are now in Colombo
for the two day discussion were former members of various Tamil militant
outfits and moderates who had been voicing against the war and violence
in the North and East and pleading for a amicable political solution in
the North and East while residing abroad for the past several years.
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