TO LIST LTTE AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, SRI LANKAN FOREIGN MINISTER TOLD BY HIS GREEK COUNTERPART

By Walter Jayawardhana

The Sri Lanka government said that “Greece will soon place the LTTE on the list of terrorist organizations.”

The Sri Lanka government in an official statement said that Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bokayannis has told the visiting Sri Lankan counterpart Minister Rohitha Bogollagama that Greece will soon place the LTTE on the list of terrorist organizations.

She has also reportedly said that Greece is presently engaged in an exchange of information with the United States and the European Union to curb terrorism. She was quoted having said, “We will do whatever is possible to not allow terrorists or their front organizations to raise funds”, to Minister Bogollagama.

Greece, a maritime power in the Mediterranean has also expressed its willingness to provide Sri Lanka in the field of Coast Guard activities. Sri Lanka needs such coast guard activities to secure its borders from Sea Tigers, the marine wing of the LTTE.

The government said, earlier, Minister Rohitha Bogollagama explained the present situation in Sri Lanka and the efforts being taken by the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to bring about a negotiated settlement to the conflict. He said the Government is prepared for talks with the LTTE, but the reluctance shown by the LTTE to come to the negotiating table has hindered the peace process.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement after the Minister’s visit:
“Minister Bogollagama sought the support of the international community to pressure the LTTE to return to the negotiating table and to combat all forms of terrorism including illegal arms smuggling, fund raising, drug smuggling, money laundering and human smuggling. He also noted that out of the 25 districts in Sri Lanka only two and half districts were affected by LTTE activity and therefore when countries issue travel advisories it is important to mention that the remaining areas of the country is safe to travel”.

“Minister Rohitha Bogollagama thanked the Government of Greece for the Euro 37 million support provided during the post Tsunami reconstruction phase. He said the people are back to business and most of the reconstruction work is now completed”.

“Foreign Minister Bokayannis said the people of Greece had supported the building of hospitals, schools and fishery harbors and to provide boats for fishermen after the Tsunami devastation that hit Sri Lanka. She pledged to continue to do so”.

“The two Ministers agreed to work together and appoint a joint committee for further action in the areas of Investment, Trade, Culture, Tourism, Training and Education and Fisheries”.

“Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on Wednesday (18) met Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Dora Bokayannis during his official visit to Greece.”