PM makes announcement in Auckland:

NEW law to replace PTA

Visits Auckland Zoo to see elephant Anjalee:

Official talks with New Zealand PM Key:

By Rukshana Rizwie

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during discussions with his New Zealand counterpart John Kay, implied that the government is ready to discuss the counter- terrorism law in place of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). He made these statements in discussions with the New Zealand Prime Minister in respect of repealing the PTA.

“I think by next week the first draft of the counter-terrorism law, which will replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act, will be available for discussion,” the PM said.

It was widely reported in New Zealand press that Amnesty International had pressured PM Key to discuss human rights during the talks. Executive Director of Amnesty New Zealand Grant Bayldon reportedly said he wants Key to push for Sri Lanka to repeal its Prevention of Terrorism Act.

“It also needs a law to make disappearances illegal, and it needs to work much harder to investigate those disappearances,” Bayldon said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the Sri Lankan government is going through most of the things it has promised to achieve, including setting up a missing persons office.

Meanwhile, a commitment to set up a High Commission both in Sri Lanka and New Zealand which would strengthen diplomatic ties was announced at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe’s first official visit to the New Zealand this weekend.

Prime Minister met with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Friday in Auckland where the discussions ranged from strengthening diplomatic ties to expanding trade relations between the two nations.

“Prime Minister Wickremsinghe’s visit to New Zealand follows my visit to Sri Lanka in February and shows the commitment of both our governments to strengthen the relationship between our two countries,” Prime Minister Key said. “Sri Lanka has embarked on a courageous course to rebuild the country after a generation-long civil war, and we are keen to support that process both politically and by growing our strong economic relationship.

“Establishing High Commissions in Wellington and Colombo in the next few years will help support that process.”

Prime Minister Key and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also discussed issues including two-way trade and investment, dairy cooperation as well as peace and security. Prime Minister Key announced that New Zealand will work with Sri Lanka to pilot New Zealand’s Farm IQ technology in Sri Lanka, a cutting-edge New Zealand digital farm management and monitoring technology. “New Zealand is committed to helping develop Sri Lankan dairy industry and this technology will help lift Sri Lankan dairy productivity and profits for its farmers.” Dairy exports to Sri Lanka, mostly through Fonterra, are worth $300 million annually to New Zealand, with milk powder the major dairy nutrition for Sri Lanka’s 21 million population.

PM Wickremasinghe also visited the Auckland Zoo which houses Anjalee, an elephant gifted from Sri Lanka. New Zealand was ‘gifted’ an additional elephant, Nandi, earlier this year, who was supposed to have joined Anjalee and another elderly elephant Burma.

Leading animal welfare advocates in Sri Lanka opposed the move with legal action being taken by organizations in Sri Lanka, who have petitioned the Court of Appeal in an attempt to keep Nandi in the country. The Attorney General declared that Nandi stay put until the case is resolved. The appeal will be heard on October 21.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is in New Zealand from September 30 – October 3. He is currently travelling with several Ministers and a business delegation.