Mahinda appraises Gillard of Sri Lanka’s progress

Perth: President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is in Australia to attend the 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) met Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard Wednesday at the Hotel Pan Pacific in Perth.

During the meeting President Rajapaksa appraised the Australian PM of the current situation in Sri Lanka and the progress made in the resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and in the development of North.

The President enlightened Gillard about the activities of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), Sri Lanka's investigative commission appointed by the President to probe the war against Tamil Tiger terrorists. He told the PM the report of the LLRC will be released shortly and presented to the parliament.

The President has discussed the issue of LTTE terrorist group raising funds overseas in some countries to resurrect the movement even after the outfit has been defeated in Sri Lanka.

He has told Gillard the allegations being made against Sri Lanka is baseless and stressed that he himself and the government are prepared to present the true facts to anyone at any time.

The two leaders also have discussed the development programs in the country and mechanisms of eliminating poverty, especially in the conflict affected areas of the country. The President has thanked the PM for Australia's support for these programs.

The Australian Prime Minister has appreciated Sri Lankan government's support to curb the illegal migration and human smuggling to Australia.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, parliamentarian Sajin Vas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, and Sri Lanka's High Commissioner Admiral (Retd.) Thisara Samarasinghe were also present.