SL to lobby against ‘high risk’ classification

JUNE 25, 2013
The Government will lobby against Sri Lankans being categorized as ‘high risk’, at a high level discussion which is set to take place soon between the Ministry of External affairs and the British High Commissioner John Rankin.

The British High Commission said recently it would charge a bond of 3000 pounds sterling from selected applicants applying from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana.

“We will not require all visitors from the selected countries to pay a bond. The number of bonds issued during the pilot project will be limited. The pilot project will be highly selective and focused on the highest risk applicants” the High Commission said in a statement.

Sri Lanka is also set to lobby for its removal from the list of countries whose citizens may fall into a “high risk” category.

At discussions the secretary to the Ministry Karunaratne Amunugama and British High Commissioner John Rankin on Monday, the ministry had sought an explanation regarding the bond.

“Mr. Rankin explained that this was only a pilot project and the bond will have to be signed only by those who were earlier rejected or fell below the normal category of entrants to Britain. We are told that this will only be charged from high risk applicants with a risk of not returning back,” Mr. Amunugama said.

The Ministry said during the meeting, factors such as removing Sri Lanka from the list while ensuring the minimising of people from over staying or illegally seeking residence in Britain would be discussed. (Hafeel Farisz)

Union Minister Sudarsana Natchiappan on Sri Lankan ties

June 24, 2013

Union Minister Sudarsana Natchiappan on Sri Lankan ties

Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan on Sunday said any decision against Sri Lanka should be made after considering the far-reaching consequences on the strategic relationship between the two countries and the interests of the Sri Lankan Tamils.

“I appreciate the feelings of those who have organised demonstrations against providing training to Sri Lankan Army officials [in Indian military facilities]. But you should not forget that they have the option of approaching China if India turned its back on them. It will not augur well for India, a close neighbour of Sri Lanka,” Mr Natchiappan told The-Hindu.

Mr Natchiappan said India already had problems along the borders it shared with Pakistan and it could not afford to create a situation that would disturb peace along the Palk Straits. The Minister said any decision against Sri Lankan government would have a direct bearing on the Tamils in Sri Lanka and Tamil refugees living in India.

He argued that war conditions in Sri Lanka had an adverse impact in the past on the growth of industry in the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu despite existence of adequate infrastructure.

He said a peaceful neighbourhood was necessary for industrial development.

“Fear prevented industrialists from making investments in the southern districts. There is a harbour in Tuticorin, an international airport in Madurai and another airport in Tuticorin. Still we cannot attract investment,” he said.