Govt's aim to protect Tamils best
- President to Archbishop of Canterbury

[May 10, 2007 - 10.00 GMT]

The aim of the Government is to give bring about a solution to the situation in the North and East of Sri Lanka to ensure that the Tamil people are best protected and assured of their rights, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams when they met at Temple Trees earlier today.

The President who discussed the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka with the Head of the Anglican Church said the Government was committed to a negotiated solution to the Sri Lankan crisis, and stood firmly by that position.

The Archbishop was also told that the situation regarding Human Rights abuses had improved in Sri Lanka and that in this regard the Government and was keeping a close tab on the Security Forces. The President said there could be extraneous forces responsible for some of the alleged Human Rights violations, and apprised Dr. Rowan Williams that the LTTE was carrying on a campaign of mud slinging aimed at damaging the image of the Government.

At the cordial meeting between the President and the Archbishop there was a frank exchange of views on matters of mutual interest. The Archbishop told the President of some of the impressions gathered during his visit to Sri Lanka, especially the good relations between religions in the country.

Also present at the meeting were Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Minister Douglas Devananda, the Bishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera, the Bishop of Kurunegala, the Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona.