Thursday, June 07, 2007

LTTE urged to renounce terrorism and return to negotiating table - EP

The European Parliament while condemning terrorism by the LTTE as a cause of concern, and urged that the need for the LTTE to return to the negotiating table, in a communique‚ issued at a public hearing held at Brussels on Tuesday(05).

The Hearing was conducted in two parts, the first part dealing with the "Impact of Post-Tsunami Reconstruction in Sri Lanka and Indonesia" and the second part dealing with the "Human Rights Situation and Humanitarian Space in Sri Lanka".

The Sri Lanka Delegation was led by Ambassador Aruni Wijewardane, Sri Lanka Ambassador in Austria.

The full text of the media release is as follows.

Media Release

The Development Committee of the European Parliament conducted a Public Hearing in Brussels relating to Sri Lanka on 05th June, 2007.

The Hearing was conducted in two parts, the first part dealing with the "Impact of Post-Tsunami Reconstruction in Sri Lanka and Indonesia" and the second part dealing with the "Human Rights Situation and Humanitarian Space in Sri Lanka". A large number of NGOs, Media representatives and Members of the European Parliament (MEP) attended the Public Session.

The Sri Lanka Delegation was led by Ambassador Aruni Wijewardane, Sri Lanka Ambassador in Austria and assisted by Mr. Shavindra Fernando, Deputy Solicitor General, Dr. Jayantha Samarasinghe of Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA), Mr. Gamini Hettiarachchi as well as the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels.

In the Session relating to Post-Tsunami reconstruction, Dr. Jayantha Samarasinghe outlined the progress made by the Government in the several stages of Post Tsunami relief, recovery and reconstruction. He also outlined the areas where further international assistance is required such as housing and livelihood restoration. Mr. Gamini Hettiarachchi, Deputy Director General of Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) gave a description of the Post -Tsunami Disaster Management framework in Sri Lanka, including the Disaster Management Act, the National Disaster Management Council and the setting up of the Disaster Management Centre.

In concluding this Session MEP Niranjan Deva Aditya expressed satisfaction over the progress Sri Lanka has made in reconstruction of affected sectors.

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