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Visit of Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights to Brussels

THE MISSION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

PRESS RELEASE

A Delegation led by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights met Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations & European Neighbourhood Policy of the European Commission and several other high level Officials of European Commission and European Council in connection with queries about recent developments in Sri Lanka. The Delegation included H.E. K.J. Weerasinghe, Ambassador & Head of Mission of Sri Lanka to the European Communities, H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador & Permanent Representative to Sri Lanka in Geneva and Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary General of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP).

At a series of meetings held in Brussels, the current situation in Sri Lanka was discussed with the senior Officials of the Human Rights & Democratization Unit, Humanitarian Aid Unit (ECHO 3), EuropeAid Co-operation Unit, External Relations Directorate General, all of the European Commission and of the Human Rights Unit of the European Parliament. These meetings were followed by two meetings with Mr. James Moran, Director/Directorate H-Asia (Except Japan & Korea), External Relations Directorate General of the European Commission, after which the Delegation had a informative discussion with Mrs. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations & European Neighbourhood Policy of the European Commission.

Among the issues discussed were progress in the All Party Representative Committee (APRC), the current status of the peace process in relations with the LTTE and the recent visits of Madam Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Mr. Manfred Novak, Special Rapporteur in the context of measures taken and proposals for further strengthening human rights in Sri Lanka.

The Delegation was able to clarify the situation with regard to various concerns that were raised. It was agreed that a continuing dialogue was important to ensure constructive engagements with Sri Lanka by the EU and Officials were invited to seek further clarification on relevant matters in order to ensure accuracy and balance.

23rd October, 2007.

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