Embassy of Sri Lanka in Norway


	MEDIA RELEASE

	Minster of Foreign Affairs Ban Ki-Moon of the Republic of Korea(ROK) re-iterated his country’s steadfast support to Sri Lanka in its economic programs, when Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera called on him on 17th July 2006 in Seoul, on his first visit to ROK as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa . Minister Samaraweera appreciated the ROK Government’s spontaneous response in the aftermath of the Tsunami and the generous assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the recovery phase. In this connection he referred to the implementation of projects identified under the Matara Township Development Programme and in particular to the re-construction of Mahanama Bridge, and the construction of a one thousand bed hospital in Godagama, and the construction of an International Convention Center at the Hambantota Administrative Complex. Minister Samaraweera discussed at length the employment opportunities in ROK for Sri Lankans. While thanking the ROK for these opportunities, he requested the ROK Government to provide more employment as Sri Lankans value the experience they gain by working in Korean establishments. ROK’s Foreign Minister appreciated the commitment of the government of President Rajapaksa to pursuing the peace process in Sri Lanka and reaffirmed ROK’s support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Minister Samaraweera briefed Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon on the developments in the peace process. He referred to the action taken to draw up a framework for a negotiated settlement and the establishment of the two mechanisms, the All Party Representative Committee, at a political level and the multi-ethnic Panel of Experts despite continuing violence by the LTTE. ROK’s Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon briefed his Sri Lankan counterpart on the developments in the Korean peninsula. He expressed the hope that talks on the denuclearization and establishment of peace and stability in the peninsula would resume. Foreign Minister Samaraweera stated that Sri Lanka looks forward to the resumption of the Six Party talks and implementation of September 19th Joint Statement so that the issue may be resolved through diplomatic means. During the discussion on multi-lateral and regional developments the two Ministers also emphasized that it is Asia’s turn to hold the position of the next Secretary General of the United Nations and that an Asian should succeed Mr. Kofi Annan, when his present tenure ends. The two Foreign Ministers discussed the developments in SAARC, Asia Regional Forum (ARF) and the Asia Cooperation Dialogue(ACD).Minister Samaraweera acknowledged with thanks the support articulated by the ROK to Sri Lanka’s request for observer status in the ARF. It was noted that the next ACD Meeting will be hosted by ROK in 2007. Minister Mangala Samaraweera was assisted by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Seoul G Wijayasiri, Additional Foreign Secretary Geetha de Silva and senior officials. The Mayor of Matara Upul Nishantha and Chairman, Pradeshiya Sabha Weligama D. Kulaweera were also present on this occasion. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Colombo 20th July 2006

	PRESS RELEASE
	Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, conveyed the greetings and good wishes of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to President Hu Jintao and the Government and people of china. When he called on the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao today (14^th July), in Beijing.
	Commending the Government of Sri Lanka for its efforts at speedy restoration of the damaged infrastructure facilities and human settlements following the Tsunami, the Premier offered to continue with the assistance China is providing towards this work.
	In presenting the Report, the Leader of the Evaluation Team lauded Sri Lanka’s efforts to comply with international anti-money laundering standards. Sri Lanka was cited as an example of a Member State, which, despite substantial difficulties posed by the prevailing domestic situation, was making every effort to comply with its international obligations to counter money laundering and terrorist financing.Minister Samaraweera informed Premier Wen Jiabao of the offer that Sri Lanka is making to China of an exploration block for the exploitation of petroleum, as an expression of good will and friendship to China. The Premier thanked the Government of Sri Lanka for this generous gesture.
	The Chinese Premier reiterated his country’s support towards Sri Lanka’s development efforts. He said that with the dawn of a new era in bilateral relations following the fiftieth anniversary next year, China looked forward to working closely with Sri Lanka to further the economic interests of both countries.
	Premier Wen Jiabao appreciated Sri Lanka’s commitment to the “One China” policy and reaffirmed China’s support to Sri Lanka in its endeavour to achieve a negotiated settlement to the ethnic issue in the country.
	Speaking at the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) earlier that morning on “Future Orientations in China – Sri Lanka Relations in the context of Evolving Political and Economic Development of China”, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera emphasized the importance of launching new diplomatic, economic and cultural initiatives and charting paths for future progress when Sri Lanka and China complete fifty years of diplomatic relations, in 2007.
	The event was chaired by Mr. Xu Jian, Vice Chairman of the CIIS.
	Speaking to an audience comprising diplomats, academics, journalists among others Minister Samaraweera said that the links between the two countries went far deeper than fifty years and were built on sold historic links. Stating that the fiftieth anniversary would be a decisive juncture in this long journey, he said the new era that would follow was bound to see “mega economic projects through public and private partnership, unprecedented commercial activity, joint film production, combined cultural performances, exchange of expertise and significant travel to each other’s country, thus building up a large scale people to people contact”. The Minister referred to the massive economic strides made by China to emerge as the world’s fourth largest economy and explained to those present the forward movements made by Sri Lanka in its economic efforts, referring to the free market economic reforms, the liberal business environment and the trade policy directed towards developing Sri Lanka into a regional trading, transhipment and financial hub. Minister Samaraweera focused on the initiatives launched by the Government towards building a “New Sri Lanka”, with rapid socio economic development, in line with the economic vision “Mahinda Chintana”, of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He also referred to the development of the rural areas through programmes such as “Gam Neguma”. The address of Minister Mangala Samaraweera was followed by an question and answer session. Embassy of Sri Lanka Beijing 14^th July 2006

	PRESS RELEASE
	China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing stressed the importance of expanding the relations between the two countries by building on the valued historic links when Minister Mangala Samaraweers called on him on 13^th July 2006. The meeting took place during the Sri Lankan Minister’s first visit to China as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
	Acknowledging that China – Sri Lanka Diplomatic Relations complete fifty years in 2007, the two Ministers announced that they would celebrate in each other’s country the 50^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations next year and declared the year 2007 as the “China – Sri Lanka Friendship Year” to coincide with this event.
	Minister Samaraweera briefed Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on the current political situation in Sri Lanka and the developments in the peace initiative. He re-iterated the commitment of the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a negotiated settlement of the North and East issue and regretted that despite all efforts of the Government to resume talks with the LTTE, they remain intransigent. He referred to the Government’s initiative towards formulating a framework for devolution of power and said that the setting up of the All Party Representative Committee and the Multiethnic Advisory Group of Experts was a step in this direction. The inaugural joint meeting of the two groups was held on July 11^th, with President Rajapaksa chairing it.
	Amongst other matters of discussion was UN reforms, developments in SAARC and regional and multilateral matters of significance to the two countries.
	Minister Mangala Samaraweera was assisted by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Beijing Nihal Rodrigo, Senior Adviser to the President Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary, Finance Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and Senior Officials. The Mayor of Matara Upul Nishantha and Chairman, Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha D. Kulaweera were associated with the meetings.
	Embassy of Sri Lanka Beijing. 13^th July 2006.

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