Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam is in Colombo, Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting preceding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
In his statement during the session, Minister Shanmugam noted that the Sri Lankan government had honoured its commitment to hold elections in the Northern Province in September 2013, which were deemed credible by observers. This was a positive step for the reconciliation and peace process.
Minister Shanmugam noted that political reconciliation cannot be imposed by external parties. Isolating Sri Lanka will not automatically result in improvements in the welfare of its citizens.
Singapore’s approach is to support Sri Lanka in its reconciliation process through constructive engagement, as well as by helping with development projects in the North and the East.
Minister Shanmugam noted that the growth of Asia is, and will remain, a fact. Sri Lanka is poised to take advantage of this. He encouraged member countries of the Commonwealth to cooperate constructively with Sri Lanka to help it in its reconciliation process with the Tamil population, as well as to help it grow economically and distribute the proceeds of that growth to its citizens.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
14 NOVEMBER 2013