Security of diplomatic community utmost concern of the Govt - Bogollagama

The Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said "the security of the diplomatic community would remain an utmost concern of the Government", and that following concerns expressed by diplomats about the current levels of security provided to their embassies and residences in the wake of Tuesdays LTTE attack against diplomats in Batticaloa, "the Government would take immediate measures to enhance security for embassies or international organisations that were to request such a stepping up of their security".

The Minister made this observation, when he returned earlier yesterday cutting short his visit to China accompanying President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to meet with members of the diplomatic corps at this time of concern regarding the well being of the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka following the LTTE's motar attack in Batticaloa earlier this week.

Short after his arrival, the Foreign Minister visited Italian Ambassador Pio Mariano, who sustained a head injury due to shrapnel during this attack.

Minister Bogollagama met with representatives of the diplomatic community and international organisations, including some who had visited Batticaloa last Tuesday. The Minister who expressed the Government's "sincere regret at the turn of events", said "given the potential damage that this attack could have caused, he was greatly relieved it did not result in greater harm."

The Minister re-emphasised that this mission was a humanitarian mission undertaken to assess the resettlement that is currently in progress in the East of Sri Lanka and that while the LTTE may wish to confuse the world that they were not aware of the presence of diplomats on that flight, it is clear that this was a pre-meditated and deliberate attack aimed at harming members of the diplomatic community.

As to who the LTTE did so, Minister Bogollagama said it appears to have been intended for three purposes. Firstly, it was aimed at undermining the sincere efforts undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka, with the assistance of the international community, to uplift the living conditions of the people of these areas recently liberated from the LTTE. Secondly, it was to convey to the International Community that the LTTE opposes their involvement in the resettlement, development and providing relief to the North and the East, possibly fearful that they are losing their grip over the Tamil people. Thirdly, this action shows a brazen defiance of the international community and underlines the fact that the LTTE now acts in total disregard of international opinion. He said this is possibly a reflection of the growing sense of frustration on the part of the LTTE, due to the increasing international isolation of the group.

The Minister noted that this in fact is the third in a series of acts directed against diplomats by the LTTE. Previously the visiting Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy, as well as the former Pakistan High Commissioner, have faced similar attacks.

Bogollagama said "while finding a political settlement to the present conflict and restoring normalcy in the affected areas, this incident should also make us more determined to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations that stands in the way of achieving that goal in Sri Lanka.

At this crucial point of time when the Government is making every effort to consolidate a political consensus, we call upon the international community to support these endeavours of the Government of Sri Lanka and to bring greater pressure on the LTTE to give up terrorism and return to the democratic fold, and display greater respect for pluralism and the rule of law."

He said "until such time when we see such a change of attitude on the part of the LTTe, it is incumbent upon the international community to take effective measures to eliminate fund raising and weapon procurement by the LTTE in foreign countries, and to help apprehend those supporting such activity in keeping with our international obligations, as some States have done in the recent past."

Later addressing a press conference Bogollagama said that concern had been expressed by several diplomats attending the briefing about the current levels of security provided to their Embassies and residences in the wake of Tuesdays LTTE attack against members of the diplomatic community. The Minister said he believed that such a request arose for the first time as it is apparent even members of the diplomatic community were vulnerable to similar attack.

The Minister said he had made it known to the diplomats that "the Government would take immediate measures to enhance security for Embassies or International Organisations that were to request such a stepping up of their security". The Acting Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs T. B. Maduwegedera was introduced to take personal charge of all such requests.

Questioned by Media persons whether any of the diplomats attending the meeting had raised any concerns that the Government had not provided adequate security for the diplomats during the recent visit to Batticaloa, the Minister said this issue had not been raised by the diplomats.

He said he was satisfied that the Ministry of Defence had taken maximum precautions to ensure the safety of the delegation. A similar visit to asses the humanitarian needs in Jaffna had taken place only two weeks ago very successfully. The Minister added that however, as a precautionary measure, in future he would institute a practice where any travel to the North and the East of the country by diplomats, even with other Ministries, would have to be cleared with the Foreign Ministry.