|
The Sri Lanka Government was
committed to a negotiated solution to the conflict in
the country as means of achieving peace and to the upholding
of human rights, President Mahinda Rajapaksa told Cardinal
Tarcisco Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, at
the meeting after his audience with Pope Benedict XVI
at the Vatican on Friday (20).
The President emphasized that he did not believe in
a military solution to Sri Lanka’s conflict and
was always open to negotiations. He explained that it
was the LTTE that had consistently walked away from
negotiations, including the talks held after his election
in November 2005.
Responding to Vatican concerns about human rights and
humanitarian issues President Rajapaksa reiterated the
Government’s firm commitment to safeguard human
rights and also explained the many humanitarian steps
taken by the Government to ease the problems faced by
the Tamil people in the North and East. Particular reference
was made to the supply of food, medicine and other essential
goods to Jaffna when the LTTE had acted to create shortages
and hardships to the people by ordering the closure
of wholesale and retail trade establishments in Jaffna
late last year.
In the friendly and cordial exchange of views between
President Rajapaksa and Cardinal Tarcisco Bertone, the
Vatican Secretary of State, the President said the Government
did not believe in any military solution to the issue,
and that whatever military action being taken by the
Government was meant to contain the threat posed by
terrorism.
President
Rajapaksa also said the All Party Representative Conference
was deliberating on proposals for a negotiated settlement
and that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, which he heads,
will shortly present its own proposals to the APRC on
the sharing of power in the country.
Madhu access blocked
In response to a request by Cardinal Bertone, that facilities
be allowed for pilgrims to have easy access to the Madhu
Church, President Rajapaksa said he was eager to provide
such facilities, but was faced with fact of the Madhu
Church being located in an area under the control of
the LTTE. President Rajapaksa explained that as Prime
Minister he too had wanted to visit the Madhu Shrine,
but the LTTE had objected to his coming there with his
official security. Eventually, he had not gone to the
Madhu Church in a situation where he was refused his
security personnel.
He told Cardinal Bertone the Government would make every
endeavour to facilitate the visit of Catholic devotees
the Madhu Shrine.
A statement by the Vatican following the President’s
audience with Pope and meeting with the Vatican Secretary
of State said: ''The Catholic Church, which offers a
significant contribution to the life of the country,
will intensify the delicate commitment to form consciences,
with the sole aim of favoring the common good, reconciliation
and peace.''
|
