With the end of the conflict and developments in the international arena in the contemporary world, new challenges have arisen and the External Affairs Ministry has a special role to play in responding to these issues for the future of Sri Lanka, observed External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris, at a special event held recently to mark President Mahinda Rajapaksa's 7th year in Office and his 66th birthday.
Minister Peiris stated that the post-conflict phase has brought to the fore the need to grapple with the tacit support by some international quarters to the terrorist network present in those countries.
He pointed out that in addition, a new era has also dawned in the country, and the conduct of foreign relations in this context, needed to be examined by the External Affairs Ministry. These challenges and developments, he stated, have necessitated a review of Sri Lanka's representation abroad.
He added that under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's one of the government's priorities is to bring economic prosperity to the citizens of the country and to safeguard Sri Lanka's vital interests internationally.
In recognition of this factor, Minister Peiris stated that President Rajapaksa envisions to concretise the country's foreign relations, firstly, so as to improve the conditions for the people of Sri Lanka, and also to strengthen global amity, having secured wide ranging support for Sri Lanka from among the developing world, in various international fora. To this end, the minister said that the President had directed that the presence and balance of Missions abroad be rationalized. Minister Peiris stated that with this objective in view, several new diplomatic missions would be opened in regions where Sri Lanka has hitherto been underrepresented, with the African Continent being a priority in this regard.
He alluded to a Resident Mission being established in Nigeria as a starting point.
Sri Lanka has four Missions in this region, one in the South, another in the East and two in the North.
Minister Peiris referred to Sri Lanka having the support of a large swath of the international community as shown by the wide ranging high level visits to Colombo from abroad.
In this context, he went on to refer to the recent visits which have taken place and also significant visits scheduled during the next two weeks, including those by the President of Vietnam, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Jassin bin Jabar, Foreign Minister of Sudan Ahmed Ali Karti, Trade Minister of the United Arab Emirates Sheikha Lubna, a high profile delegation from South Africa led by their Deputy Foreign Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, President of the EU Parliament 'Friends of Sri Lanka' Group, Geoffrey Van Orden, a delegation of US Congressmen, Special Envoy of Japan Yasushi Akashi and the Socialist and Democratic Party delegation of the European Parliament.
Minister Peiris also pointed out that the Galle Dialogue held recently on Maritime Security had the participation of the Naval Forces of 19 countries, which was double the number of participants from last year, as a further demonstration of the understanding and wide ranging support for Sri Lanka from the international community. He further observed that these visits reflect the understanding of the post conflict developments in Sri Lanka and therefore, new interest has been evinced across the world in our country.
Minister Peiris pointed out the rapid developments on the economic front taking place in Sri Lanka, and referred to the need to focus on working with the international community to give effect to the country's foreign policy priorities. He called on all members of the staff of the External Affairs Ministry, to share their insights collectively, considering the reservoir of wide ranging experience and skills they possess.
The Minister emphasized that there is no substitute for working with dedication as a cohesive team to achieve the objectives of the ministry.
Deputy Minister Neomal Perera and the staff of the External Affairs Ministry participated.
Source: Daily News (24 November 2011)
