Palestinian Legislative Council seeks Lankas support July 22 2011

Palestinian Legislative Council has appealed President Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene to get the Palestinian law makers released from the jail and a written appeal addressed to the President was handed over to Dr. T. Jayasinghe, Representative for Sri Lanka in Palestine by the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council Dr. Aziz Dwaik.

At the discussion Speaker stated that he is happy to note  Sri Lanka eliminating terrorism from the island completely and congratulated President Mahinda Rajapaksa for bringing peace to Sri Lanka. He also stated that Palestine is aware of the development projects that are being implemented successfully in Sri Lanka silencing many internal and external critics. He also stated that Palestinians are grateful to President Rajapaksa for fighting for the Palestinian cause during the last four decades as the leader of the Palestine solidarity movement in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Aziz Dwaik also stated in detail the plight of some Legislative  Council members who are in Israeli jails without any trial. Some of them are re- arrested with no concern for their diplomatic immunity. There are also three PLC members taking refuge at the Red Cross Society building in Jerusalem for the last two years. There are also 7000 odd Palestinians in Israeli jails.

Commenting on the Fatah - Hamas reconciliation process Dr. Dwaik thanked the Egyptian authorities for facilitating a unity deal. However unity deal remains stalled as both groups failed to agree on a name for the post of Prime Minister.

Representative Dr. Jayasinghe while promising to forward the appeal to H.E. President of Sri Lanka stated that Sri Lanka would prefer a firm reconciliation as divisions are hindering the Palestinian - Israeli peace process. He thanked Dr. Dwaik for expressing his support for a closer relationship between Sri Lanka and Palestine.