Welcoming the Indian Minister of External Affairs S.M. Krishna to Sri Lanka, Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris emphasized the deep rooted friendship and historical ties which exist between the two countries, and elaborated that Sri Lanka and India are bound to each other geographically and in terms of their economies, which have stood the test of time.  Minister Krishna began a four day official visit to Sri Lanka on 16th January 2012, at the invitation of Minister Peiris and called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne.

Minister Peiris observed that in times good and bad and those of turbulence, stability and prosperity, the constant factor in Sri Lanka's foreign relations has been the depth of friendship with India.  In this context, he recalled the manner in which India has always stood by Sri Lanka, and provided every possible assistance.   Minister Peiris upheld that there could be issues of concern in relations between any two countries, and however the distinguishing feature of Sri Lanka's relationship with India is the spontaneity of dialogue.  He said that no issue however controversial or emotive in connotation has the two countries been unable to resolve, due to close engagement in an open manner culminating in pragmatic conclusions.  He was confident that the threshold that has been reached with regard to Indo-Lanka relations was not something fleeting, but to nurture, safeguard and develop throughout the passage of time.

Recalling that Minister Krishna had last visited Sri Lanka in November 2010, Minister Peiris further observed that there are common features in both these visits.  He outlined the first as being a platform to discuss the range of issues straddling every aspect of public policy, which include housing, transport, water, telecommunications and healthcare, giving rise to the conclusion of Agreements on these subjects between the two countries during the current visit.  The second feature of the visit was designated by Minister Peiris as being geographical, as Minister Krishna yet again was visiting the north and south, of the country.  Therefore, he said the completeness of Minister Krishna's visit in terms of subject matter and places within the island are noteworthy.

Minister Peiris in conclusion stated that Minister Krishna's visit cements the relationship which is already vibrant and substantial.  He further emphasized that it is a relationship not just among friends, but among close relatives, which was exemplified most vividly by Minister Krishna's spontaneous attendance soon after his arrival in Colombo, at the Thaipongal Ceremony on the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  Minister Peiris upheld that this has not happened regularly or as a matter of routine between countries and their leaders, and the extension of such an invitation was a demonstration of sincerity that underpins the strong and vibrant relationship between India and Sri Lanka.

The delegation level talks led by the two Ministers were held on 17th January 2012 at the Ministry of External Affairs.  The discussions covered a range of issues of mutual interest which was followed by the conclusion of five Agreements, pertaining to the Implementation of the Housing Project for 49,000 houses; the Field of Agriculture; Cooperation between Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka; Dollar Credit Line of US $ 382.37 Million from the Government of India for the Restoration of Northern Railway Service and Buyer's Credit under National Export Insurance Account of USD 60.69 Million for Dambulla Water Supply Project.

Sri Lanka still generous, retains position in World Giving Index
 
Sri Lanka has been rated the world's eighth most charitable country in the world`. It retained its position from last year in a study of 153 nations carried out by the Charities Aid Foundation.
 
However Sri Lanka has seen a marginal drop in its score of 53% to 51% from 2010 to 2011.
 
Sri Lanka was named the country with third highest percentage of population claiming to 'volunteer time' at 46%.
 
The U.S. came top of the World Giving Index 2011 - which ranks nations based on how likely citizens are to donate money, volunteer their time and help strangers - followed by Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
 
The Netherlands was sixth, with the top ten completed by Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand  and Laos.
 
Despite the squeeze on income, 79 per cent of Britons give money to charity each month, up from 73 per cent in 2010, according to the research.
 
Worldwide there was a 2 per cent increase in people helping strangers and a 1 per cent increase in volunteering over the past 12 months, but a 1 per cent drop in giving to charity, the study based on Gallup polling data discovered.

The Qatari Premier concludes his official visit to Sri Lanka

Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar paid an official visit to Sri Lanka from 12th to 13th December, 2011 accompanied by Youse Hussain Kamal, Minister of Economy and Finance and over 20 heads of Qatari investment agencies together with a high powered business delegation. The Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, External Affairs Minister, Prof. G.L. Peiris and the Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation, Dr. Sarath Amunugama received the Qatari Prime Minister on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport. The Qatari Premier was accorded a red carpet welcome and a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Air Force. This was the first official visit of a Qatari Prime Minister to Sri Lanka since the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries in 1995

The Qatari Prime Minister on December 12 (Monday), evening met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat for bilateral discussions. Several Cabinet Ministers, Secretaries to the Ministries and heads of some Government Institutions were present at the bilateral discussions. Qatari Premier expressed his sincere appreciation to President Rajapaksa for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and reiterated Qatar's firm resolve to further strengthening of multifaceted relations with Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa briefed the Qatari counterpart on the post war development, peace, and reconciliation in the country and the potential investment opportunities exist for the international community to partake in the emerging sectors in the Sri Lankan economy.

The Qatari Prime Minister praised President Rajapaksa over the achievements of the Government of Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the conflict and emphasized the need for closer links between the two countries in the economic cooperation and investment promotion.  The Qatari premier also said that the Government of the State of Qatar and its investors are ready to invest in the mega hotel projects in tourist zones of Sri Lanka.

The Qatari Prime Minister informed that a group of leading Qatari investors will visit Sri Lanka to explore the possibilities for mobilization of more Qatar investment in the tourism industry and also infrastructure projects in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

He reiterated that the prevailing bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Government of Sri Lanka will further be strengthened for the benefit of the two countries in the years ahead.

President Rajapaksa hosted the Qatari Premier and the delegation to a Banquet at the president's house that evening. 

On December 13, 2011, Minister of External Affairs, Prof Peiris called on the Qatari Prime Minister. During the discussion with the Qatari Premier, the External Affairs Minister expressing his gratitude for the interest shown by the Qatari Premier to select Sri Lanka as a potential investment site, briefed the delegates on the potential opportunities in the tourism sector including development of tourist resorts and the investment opportunities in the Colombo Stock Exchange.

The Qatari Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister had a meeting with the Minister of Economic Development in Colombo on the same day. The Qatari Premier along with his delegation met with a group of prominent businessmen and entrepreneurs of Sri Lanka in the presence of the External Affairs Minister and the Senior Minister for International Monetary Cooperation. During the meetings the Qatari Prime Minister showed keen interest in exploring investment opportunities in Sri Lanka particularly in the areas of tourism including investment in hotels and also in the Colombo Stock Exchange. 

The Qatari Premier visit to Sri Lanka is expected to consolidate the longstanding bilateral relations and also open up new avenues of cooperation for mutual benefit between the two countries.

More supportive Approach to Sri Lanka needed says MEP

Mr Geoffrey Van Orden MBE MEP
Chairman of the Friends of Sri Lanka Group in the European Parliament

Following a recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Chairman of the European Parliament's informal 'Friends of Sri Lanka' Group has called for supportive engagement with Sri Lanka as it recovers from 30 years of conflict.

Conservative MEP and Defence Spokesman Geoffrey Van Orden has just returned from Sri Lanka where he met the President and senior Ministers, as well as MPs from a range of government and opposition political parties including the Tamil National Alliance. He met the Northern and Eastern Regional Governors, and on his visit to the former conflict areas in the North and East of the country, the Bishop of Jaffna, military commanders and many local people. He also visited the Detention Camp at  Boosa and a post-Tsunami village at Weligama.

Mr Van Orden commented:

"Wherever I went I received a clear message - relief that the conflict is over; optimism that the country is now making economic progress; and recognition that reconciliation and political consensus are essential if a repeat of the circumstances that incubated terrorism 30 years ago are to be avoided".

"I was encouraged by indications that the "Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission", which has just reported, has come up with robust conclusions that will address many international concerns. The report will be presented to Parliament shortly. I am clear that Sri Lankans must deal with these matters in their own way and require our constructive support and encouragement in this. Undoubtedly there have been allegations of human rights abuses which need to be properly addressed by government in coming to terms with the past.  The most serious and consistent abusers, particularly of the Tamil population and Moslems, have been the LTTE terrorists."

"Even the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which represents a significant element of the Tamil vote, is no longer pursuing a separatist agenda. They stated directly to me their willingness 'to be absorbed into the Sri Lankan mosaic' and to 'cooperate responsibly for a long-term solution'. The TNA must ensure that it conveys a similarly positive message when its spokesmen travel abroad. "

"Undoubtedly, there are still those with a vested interest in prolonging discord. I feel sure that the great majority of people of Sri Lankan Tamil origin living in the UK and elsewhere would wish to help improve the lot of their former countrymen, if the agitators would leave them alone.  They should travel to Sri Lanka, see the situation for themselves, and invest in business start-ups and development projects. At the moment there is little evidence of funds raised overseas being channelled into such constructive projects.

"For some the glass is always half empty - I see it as more than half full. Demining,   construction of housing, and reclamation of agricultural land has enabled over 290,000 persons displaced by the conflict to return to their villages in the North without fear. Sri Lanka's GDP is growing at over 8% a year and accelerating. Infrastructure - including a first motorway - is being dramatically improved.

"To embed freedom and progress there should be a new political settlement, respectful of the concerns and interests of all the law-abiding peoples of Sri Lanka, and demilitarisation of the North and East as soon as practicable, with clear timelines. Work on this is in hand.

"To help the process, there needs to be positive, generous and warm-hearted support from the international community for Sri Lanka - a friendly, democratic, Commonwealth country with very strong historic links with the UK and other European nations.

"In recent years, the democracies have provided generous development and post-Tsunami humanitarian assistance. Now that terrorism has been overcome it is the time for fresh engagement and opening of new and transparent trade and business initiatives that will be of benefit all round."
Geoffrey Van Orden MEP can be contacted on
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0032 2 2847332.
www.geoffreyvanorden.com