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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Show your commitment to peace- Commonwealth Secretary-General

22 November 2002

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon, is urging governments to contribute generously when they meet at the forthcoming International Donors Conference on Sri Lanka, in Oslo on 25 November 2002. In a statement issued in London on the eve of the Conference, Mr McKinnon said:

"At a time when there has been a marked increase in global instability and conflict, the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka offers a rare beacon of hope. In Oslo where Sri Lanka's bilateral donors will meet to consider emergency financing for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of the conflict affected areas, their commitment to the cause of peace will be measured by how deeply they dig into their pockets.

"After 19 years of brutal civil war which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people on all sides, we must respond with generosity to rebuild this beautiful but ravaged country, a founder member of the modern Commonwealth, so that all its people can move forward in reconciliation. The Commonwealth is ready to assist with whatever political and technical support it can provide for the projects identified by the Government of Sri Lanka as priority components of the peace dividend."

Note to Editors:
In February 2002, the Government of Sri Lanka signed a ceasefire agreement with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and agreed to enter into direct negotiations with the LTTE, facilitated by the Government of Norway. So far, two sessions of talks have been held between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE in Thailand in September and November 2002. The last session resulted in agreement on the Terms of Reference (TORs) of the sub-committees established to oversee humanitarian and rehabilitation needs, study constitutional issues and accelerate the resettlement of internally displaced persons.

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