Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena Monday (30) told the Consultative Committee meeting on foreign affairs that the LTTE remained banned organization in every country in Europe as it had not given up on violence and terrorism, the Department of Communication of Parliament said in a statement issued yesterday.

The following is the text of the statement:

The Minister stated that the Ministry and the government are fully aware of the matter and is acting with a diplomatic outlook. He stated this in expressing his views pertaining to concerns raised by the Members of Parliament Suren Raghavan and Gamini Waleboda.

Addressing the committee, the Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage stated that there is no ban on repatriating Lankans stranded abroad. He pointed out that the process had only slowed down due to the emergence of the Peliyagoda and Minuwangoda COVID clusters as there was a dearth of facilities in the quarantine centres. Furthermore, the Secretary stated that the process has now gained momentum and relevant measures are taken to bring down citizens back to Sri Lanka. He further pointed out that 47, 000 from 126 countries have been repatriated to-date.

The Secretary stated the above in response to a concern raised by Member of Parliament Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam when he disclosed that many Sri Lankan nationals who have travelled abroad prior to the closure of the airport are now stuck in foreign soil as they are barred from returning.

MPs Charles Nirmalanathan and Sivagnanam Shritharan disclosed that almost 100,000 sought asylum in South India during the war and 80% are now registered and recognized by the government. However, they pointed out that there are 20% unregistered Sri Lankan refugees in South India wanting to return to Sri Lanka but the Indian Government is demanding the Visa fee amounting to the number of years they have been residing in India in order to grant leave.

 Responding to the said concern, the Minister stated that discussions have also been held with leaders such as S.C Chandra Hasan and the President has approved looking into the issue when the COVID crisis hit the country in March. Furthermore, the Foreign Minister stated that the Ministry acknowledges this issue and they have already intervened to bring down the Sri Lankan refugees back home in due course.

 Member of Parliament Diana Gamage raised her concerns pertaining to the safety assurance of Sri Lankan labour force in the Middle East at the committee.

In response the Foreign Secretary emphasized that 40% of such labour in the Middle East have not entered its borders following proper procedures. Acknowledging the concern raised, the Secretary stated that the Ministry and all respective authorities are working on finding a solution to the issue.

MP Diana Gamage also questioned the status of the under aged Japanese girl, who it has been claimed, to have been kidnapped. Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Colombage stated that the matter should be left for the course of law to take charge but they too are keeping an eye on the development in that regard.

 The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena was attended by State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya together with more than 20 MPs including (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardana, Suren Raghavan, Gamini Waleboda, Yadamini Gunawardena, Charles Nirmalanathan, Udayakantha Gunathilaka, Sivagnanam Shritharan, Udayana Kirindigoda, Diana Gamage, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam and many officials representing the respective authorities.