Take effective action against LTTE elements in Canada – GL tells Canadian counterpart

Stating that operations of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have now shifted to Canadian soil, Sri Lanka has requested the support of the Canadian government to put a stop to such activities that could threaten Sri Lanka’s national security.

“Following the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka, some limited elements of the LTTE have now transferred their base of operations overseas, including to Canada,” Sri Lanka’s Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris is reported to have told his Canadian counterpart, Lawrence Cannon.

The issue was discussed during bilateral talks between the two officials on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly last week.

The LTTE, a group that fought for a separate state in Sri Lanka for nearly three decades, was known to have a wide international network, which played a major role in the group’s long-term success in the war through financing and publicity. In May 2009, Sri Lankan forces defeated the LTTE, and since then supporters of the group living abroad have struggled to continue fighting for the cause. The LTTE has been banned as a terrorist organization in Canada.

During the talks, the two officials also discussed the human smuggling operations that are taking place between Sri Lanka and Canada. Cannon noted that a special representative will be visiting Sri Lanka to look into this issue further, a move Peiris welcomed.

Peiris also met with the Spanish foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube, and the acting foreign affairs minister of Korea, Shin Kak-soo.

Following is the press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs

The Minister of External Affairs, Prof. G.L. Peiris continued bilateral discussions on the sidelines of the 65th UNGA in New York.

On 25th September, Minister Peiris met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada H.E. Mr. Lawrence Cannon, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube, and the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Shin Kak-Soo.

During his meeting with the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister Peiris briefed the Canadian Minister on the optimistic mood in the country following the defeat of terrorism. The Canadian Minister expressed satisfaction with the manner in which Sri Lanka had expedited outstanding post-conflict issues including the resettlement of IDPs and initiating progress on the reconciliation process.

Minister Peiris informed his Canadian counterpart that following the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka some limited elements of the LTTE have now transferred their base of operations overseas, including to Canada. The Minister sought the support of the Canadian Government in taking effective action against LTTE elements in Canada so that activities detrimental to the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka will not take place on Canadian soil. Minister Peiris said that in this manner, Canada will also be strengthening global efforts to combat terrorism.

The Canadian Minister briefed Minister Peiris on the action taken by Canada in cracking down fund-raising by LTTE and its front organizations based in Canada. He also informed the Minister that the LTTE is outlawed as a terrorist group in Canada.

The two Ministers also discussed the recent incidents relating to human smuggling from Sri Lanka to Canada on board the “Ocean Lady” and “Sun Sea”. The Canadian Government had appointed a Special Representative on this matter who will be visiting Sri Lanka soon. The Minister welcomed the proposed visit and stated that Canada and Sri Lanka could work together in preventing such illegal human smuggling operations which also had links to LTTE elements and transnational organized crime networks. The Minister briefed his Canadian counterpart that with the end of conflict in Sri Lanka, and with the return of peace and stability to all parts of the country, there was no reason for people to flee the country on any grounds. The UNHCR has also recognized this position in a recent statement. The meeting ended with Minister Peiris encouraging his Canadian counterpart to visit Sri Lanka in the near future.

On 25th September 2010, Minister Peiris also met with his counterpart from Spain, H.E. Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube. The Spanish Minister congratulated Sri Lanka in its success for ending terrorism. Spain too had suffered from terrorism and therefore was pleased with Sri Lanka’s success. Minister Cuyaube hoped that Sri Lanka and Spain could collaborate in multilateral efforts to put in place a global strategy against terrorism.

Minister Peiris briefed his Spanish counterpart on the post-conflict progress in Sri Lanka. He also identified several areas in which Spain and Sri Lanka could work together. Spain was one of the largest tourist destinations in the world and in the present context where Sri Lanka was experiencing a large increase in tourist arrivals, Spain and Sri Lanka could collaborate in the tourism sector including in the hotel sector. Minister Peiris also referred to Spanish expertise in the area of renewable sources for energy and identified this as another potential area for cooperation between the two countries. The meeting ended with the Spanish Minister assuring Minister Peiris of Spain’s friendship towards Sri Lanka, and that Spain would also act as a friend of Sri Lanka within the EU.

Minister Peiris also met with H.E. Mr. Shin Kak-Soo, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea on the sidelines of the 65th UNGA on 25th September 2010.

Minister Peiris thanked the Korean Minister for the significant bilateral assistance received by Sri Lanka from Korea in several sectors. Minister Peiris also appreciated the intake of Sri Lankan manpower into Korea which had recently been increased by the Korean Government. As a result of the close bilateral relationship, Sri Lanka has now introduced Korean language as a subject in its national curriculum.

The Korean Minister expressed the satisfaction of the Korean Government that Sri Lanka was moving from conflict towards a post-conflict phase of reconciliation and reconstruction. He informed that Korea was pleased that Sri Lanka is the 2nd largest development partner for Korea, and that there are 20 ongoing projects in Sri Lanka worth over US$ 405 million. Korea has aligned its development assistance to Sri Lanka with the priority areas identified by Sri Lanka in its national development framework. Furthermore, as a result of the positive impression held by Korean employers regarding Sri Lankan workers, Sri Lanka’s quota for employment in Korea has been increased by 44% recently.

Minister Peiris thanked the Korean Minister for the constructive assistance given to Sri Lanka and for the warm sentiments in the bilateral relations between the two countries. As a token of Sri Lanka’s appreciation, Sri Lanka will donate an elephant to the Government of Korea as a goodwill gesture. The Korean Minister thanked Minister Peiris on behalf of the Government of Korea for this donation. He informed Minister Peiris that elaborate arrangements were being made by the Korean Government to receive the gift.