Justice Ministers briefs French Ambassador on political, social and economic matters

A meeting was held between Minister of Justice and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Leader Rauff Hakeem and the Ambassador of France in Sri Lanka Christine Robichon on Thursday in Colombo.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss present political, social and economic matters.

Hakeem stated that the Government has made proposals to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to solve the national problem.

“The Tamil National Alliance must get involved if it is to be a success. The SLMC is acting as an intervener towards this end. Discussions have been successful up to now. It is expected that the TNA will join with the Parliamentary Select Committee soon,” he said.

The Minister added: “Sri Lanka has started a development-oriented journey. Being a strength to that journey is the duly of all, especially since the Government aims to provide a solution to the national problem.”

The Ambassador has emphasised to the Minister that in the event of the provincial council election for the Eastern Province being held during the period within which discussions are ongoing regarding the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee, there would be a growing tendency towards the re-emergence of a political crisis, which may prevail, causing the efforts for such discussions to prove unsuccessful.

In response, the Minister pointed out that conducting of the provincial council election for the Eastern Province may not affect the discussions in respect of the appointments of the Parliamentary Select Committee.

The Minister emphasised on the need for expert assistance from certain countries such as France to ensure the establishment of the proposed Mediation Arbitration Centre.

Her Excellency the Ambassador drew the attention of Minister to the release of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, which the Minister defined as a favourable step. The existing legal impediments caused a delay in the former Army Commander’s release, the Minister added.

The Ambassador stated that policies of the France adopted towards the Sri Lanka had not been changed even under the new Government of Sri Lanka, which came into power at the election held a few years back.