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Journalism of Courage
Canada has asked Sri Lanka to start talks and the reconciliation process with the Tamil groups,saying such a step is crucial for lasting peace in the country.
“After 30 years of war,reconciliation is crucial for lasting peace in Sri Lanka. Canada awaits to see what steps the Government of Sri Lanka will take towards this reconciliation,” Deepak Obhrai,Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,told Sri Lanka’s new High Commissioner Chitranganee Wagiswara during a meeting.
“Canada urges the government of Sri Lanka for an early safe return and resettlement of the approximately 100,000 individuals who remain displaced,” Obhrai said.
He said: “Canada is encouraged by the return of close to 160,000 internally displaced persons to their homes.”
Obhrai pointed out that Canada encourages the government of Sri Lanka to allow access by NGOs and the media to camps and resettlement areas and to continue to pursue effective coordination with humanitarian agencies and donors. “It is high time that the government of Sri Lanka lift the state of emergency as that the conflict is over,” he said. Obhrai told the High Commissioner that Sri Lanka remains a priority for Canada.
Canada looks forward to working with the Government of Sri Lanka to address many of these issues,he added.
