MFA Press Statement: Official Visit Of Minister For Foreign Affairs And Minister For Law K Shanmugam To The Democratic Socialist Republic Of Sri Lanka (29 May - 1 June 2012)

Minister Shanmugam called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 1 June 2012, the third and final day of his official visit to Sri Lanka. Minister Shanmugam said that Singapore was happy to see that peace had returned to Sri Lanka, and that during his visit to Trincomale and Jaffna, he saw the significant progress in physical reconstruction in the areas that he visited. He reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties and assist Sri Lanka as it embarked on a process of reconstruction and genuine national reconciliation. Minister Shanmugam also said that while reconciliation cannot be imposed from the outside, well-wishers of Sri Lanka, such as Singapore, look forward to an inclusive porcess that would include addressing the emotive sentiments of people affected by the decades-long conflict.

Minister Shanmugam reiterated to President Rajapaksa the offer of technical assistance which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had made during President Rajapaksa’s State Visit to Singapore in February 2012. Singapore was prepared to enhance the existing technical cooperation programme for Sri Lanka under the Singapore Cooperation Programme. The enhancement would focus on the areas of human resource development and economic development, which were Sri Lanka’s current priorities. President Rajapaksa expressed his appreciation for Singapore’s offer to assist Sri Lanka in its development. He shared with Minister Shanmugam the ongoing efforts made by the central and provincial governments towards post-conflict development including the restoration of basic infrastructure and services in the worst-affected areas in the northern province of Sri Lanka.

Minister Shanmugam also met the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka Dr Shirani Bandaranayake, who expressed her interest in cooperating with Singapore in areas of legal training. Minister Shanmugam assured her that Singapore would assist Sri Lanka as best we could. Minister Shanmugam returned to Singapore today.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

2 JUNE 2012