Sri Lanka seeking closer ties with RI: Minister

At the end of the Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali, from Dec. 10-11, 2008, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama spoke with Hyginus Hardoyo of The Jakarta Post on several issues, ranging from his government's intention to expand bilateral relations with Indonesia, to the present situation in Sri Lanka with regards to restoring peace and democracy.

While noting that Sri Lanka and Indonesia have signed a defense cooperation agreement and agreed to establish a joint commission, Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama expressed his intention to forge closer relations with Indonesia.

Bogollagama disclosed several opportunities Sri Lanka was offering to potential investors and big corporations that could take advantage of the country's position to set up industries to process abundant raw materials such as palm oil and rubber from Indonesia.

"It can also be utilized as a springboard to Europe and the Indian subcontinental market, under our free trade agreements with India and Pakistan," the minister said.

He also said Sri Lankan Airlines had proposed resuming flights to Jakarta early next year in an effort to help improve people-to-people association between the two countries, and added he hoped Garuda Indonesia, the Indonesian flag carrier, would reciprocate by commencing services to Colombo.

"Negotiations on the matter are already at the final stage," Bogollagama said, adding he was looking forward to the visit to Sri Lanka by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda for the inaugural session early next year of a joint commission expected to enable the two countries to formulate a constructive approach to strengthen bilateral relations.

The minister also disclosed a number of points during his meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the sidelines of the two-day Bali Democracy Forum.

The forum was an initiative by the Indonesian government, and brought together high-level delegations from 32 countries across Asia. The forum was inaugurated by Yudhoyono at a ceremony co-chaired by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, with Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam and Prime Minister of Xanana Gusmao of Timor Leste also present.

Calling the initiative to launch the forum timely, Bogollagama briefed the Indonesian President about the latest situation in Sri Lanka, chiefly the military operations in the north of the country to restore peace and democracy.

The minister said terrorism constituted the biggest threat to democracy in Sri Lanka, and outlined the government's efforts over the past two years to clear the Eastern Province of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and reinstate full democracy in the province.

The LTTE is one of the pioneers in suicide-bomb technology and is said to be behind more than half of all suicide bombings the world over, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry says.

Referring to efforts to engage the LTTE in talks, Bogollagama said the negotiations were ineffectual because of the LTTE's inflexible stance and lack of sincerity.

"Our bitter experience in negotiating with the LTTE in the past has convinced us that unless the capacity of the LTTE to inflict terror attacks on innocent civilians is neutralized, no political solution the government formulates through the All Party Representatives Committee, drawing upon the collective wisdom of all democratic political parties, can be practically implemented," the minister said in his speech at the inaugural session of the Bali Democracy Forum.

"It is our considered view that disarming the LTTE is an essential prerequisite to the unveiling of a political solution to address the genuine grievances of minority communities in Sri Lanka.

"The defeat of LTTE terrorism will herald the dawn of lasting peace and stability in Sri Lanka," he added.

Reiterating that aside from a threatening democracy, terrorism was also a threat to human civilization everywhere, Bogollagama called for greater international cooperation to tackle terrorism.

The minister expressed the hope that the clearest call originating from the Bali Democracy Forum would become a guiding light for the people of Asia, whether living in long-established democracies or in countries taking their first steps toward democracy.

jakartapost.com