Sri Lanka emerging towards greater stability - Australian FM

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/03/20/news03.asp

Sri Lanka emerging towards greater stability - Australian FM
*Welcomes President Rajapaksa’s re-election statement
*‘Expatriates should play constructive role’
Sri Lanka is emerging from a long period of conflict and insecurity towards greater stability, stated Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith updating the Australian Parliament on the situation in Sri Lanka. The opportunity now exists for the diaspora to play a constructive role in promoting the conditions for sustainable peace. I urge the diaspora to look forward and work in positive ways to help communities inside Sri Lanka realize a peaceful future for themselves, he further stated.
Around 100,000 persons of Sri Lankan extraction are now living in Australia, contributing to all aspects of our society, he noted.
Referring to a political solution for lasting peace in Sri Lanka, he stated that Sri Lanka should find a home-grown solution.
“While the outside world could help in practical ways, the solution needed to come from within Sri Lanka, from the people of Sri Lanka,” Foreign Minister Smith stated and acknowledged that “this would not be easy. Nor would it occur overnight.”
“It would come only after a process of political reform and rapprochement between all parties and communities,” he said.
Noting Sri Lanka’s progress in meeting the needs of IDPs, Foreign Minister Smith announced an additional $20 million in targeted assistance to Sri Lanka delivered through international organisations.
“Efforts are being made to meet the basic needs of people still in these camps and essential services are being provided,” he stated.
Referring to the free movement of IDPs, he noted that tens of thousands of people have taken advantage of that decision to travel outside the camps.
The Australian Foreign Minister welcomed President Rajapaksa’s re-election statement on January 27 in which he committed to govern for all Sri Lankans, build on the peace already achieved and move forward on a reconciliation program.
Australia also welcomed the announcement by the Sri Lankan Government on October 26, 2009 that it would establish an Expert Committee to investigate allegations contained in the recent US State Department’s Report to Congress on Incidents during the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka.
Our bilateral cooperation continues to expand in important areas, including combating people smuggling and human trafficking, Foreign Minister Smith continued.
With the appointment of John McCarthy as Australia’s Special Representative to Sri Lanka, Australia has adopted an enhanced diplomatic and humanitarian effort to help Sri Lanka address the challenges of recovery from over two decades of civil war, he said.
As de-mining is an essential first step to allow people to return home and rebuild their lives, Australia has already announced its commitment to provide up to $20 million for de-mining over the next five years to ensure that the northern part of Sri Lanka can be made safe for resettlement, the Foreign Minister emphasized.
“Sri Lanka is important to Australia. Australia and Sri Lanka share strong bilateral relations, built on our shared Commonwealth membership, as well as links in trade and investment, defence, education, sport, culture and development cooperation,” he stressed.
Australia is committed to working with Sri Lanka to help address the serious challenges facing today’s world, including counter-terrorism and people smuggling, climate change and organised transnational crime, further stated the Australian Foreign Minister.
“As a long-time friend, Australia has been, and will continue to be, committed to working with Sri Lanka to build a peaceful and prosperous future for all Sri Lankans,” he pledged.
Courtesy of PRIU