FM summons British envoy for second time

by Manjula Fernando

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama met the Acting British High Commissioner Mark Gooding again on Thursday to stress the need to clear perceptions created following the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) meeting where the British Foreign Secretary made an opening speech.

Foreign Ministry sources said the Minister highlighted the need to avoid any implications created by Miliband’s presence at the GTF that there is a passive support by the British Government to the LTTE Separatist cause which will undermine the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

At the meeting which lasted for over 30 minutes the Foreign Minister has reiterated the Government’s displeasure over the decision taken by the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to participate at the inaugural meeting of the GTF, an organisation identified as a strong pro-LTTE front.

The Acting High Commissioner said the purpose of his participation was to prevent such adverse conclusions being drawn and in line with their stance to engage with a cross section of all Sri Lankan communities.