UN Under-Secretary tells Minister Bogollagama:
No ‘torch carrying’ for LTTE in UN system
‘Engagement with Sri Lanka to continue:
The United Nations Under-Secretary General for political Affairs Lynn
Pascoe told Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama that there was ‘no
torch carrying’ for the LTTE in the UN system and the UN was keen to
continue its engagement with Sri Lanka. The meeting between the UN Under
Secretary and Foreign Minister Bogollagama took place at the Foreign
Ministry on Thursday. The Foreign Minister outlined the progress made so
far and in particular referred to the recently concluded elections in
the North, the ongoing family reunification programs, resettlement,
enabling children in the IDP welfare villages and ex-combatants to sit
the GCE Advanced Level examinations, the submission of the APRC
proposals and the participation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in
the ongoing political progress.
Pascoe thanked the Minister for inviting him to visit Sri Lanka again
and added that the UN and the Secretary General have continued to be
supportive of the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government. He said that he
was “encouraged” by what he had witnessed during his visit to the North
on that day. Pascoe and his delegation visited Mannar, Vavuniya and
Jaffna and the rehabilitation centres for ex-combatants and some of the
welfare villages including the Manik Farm.
Pascoe said that there was “no torch carrying” for the LTTE in the UN
system adding that the UN was keen to continue its engagement with Sri
Lanka.
Commenting on his visit to the north, Pascoe said that he was
“impressed by the work done by the Army, the demining teams, the UN
staff and the civil society” and that the team also witnessed the
rehabilitation work that was under way.
In Jaffna, they were able to feel that the people were looking
forward to getting more opportunities and that there was a feeling that
a “whole era was waiting for them.”
During the discussions, issues pertaining to the healthcare services
provided to the IDPs and educational facilities including the vocational
training were also highlighted.
Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Law Reforms, S. K. Gamlath joining
the discussions explained the progress made in the rehabilitation of
ex-combatants.
He said that after rehabilitation, some reintegrated into society,
while others had gone overseas for employment arranged under a special
rehabilitation program.
He also acknowledged the assistance rendered by the UNICEF in this
endeavour.
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