What is the Sri Lankan Government's current policy toward the Tamil Tigers?

The so-called Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is a group that does not really represent the Tamil people, as it claims to do. The vast majority of Tamils live in many parts of Sri Lanka in perfect peace and friendship with Sinhala, Muslim and other communities and not under a reign of terror as in the so-called LTTE areas. In fact, following some defensive and deterrent action by our forces, most portions of the Eastern Province once controlled by terrorist forces of the Tamil Tigers have now been liberated. We are having many refugees coming into these freed areas, escaping from the Tamil Tigers.

The Tamil Tigers are a banned organization in many countries of the world. Nevertheless, we are ready to discuss peace with the Tigers and have said so directly. Already I have set in motion discussions between all the major political parties on how the ethnic issue can be settled and how a political agreement can be reached, acceptable to all the communities in Sri Lanka, to live in freedom, with democracy and with the full enjoyment of human rights. These basic human freedoms are not possible under the Tigers. However, they have a chance to change their ways and join the democratic framework that the overwhelming portion of the population of Sri Lanka, including the Tamils, would wish to have.

We still remember the tragedy of the Indian Ocean tsunami. What is the current situation in the tsunami-hit region? What is the status of the construction of a tsunami warning system in Sri Lanka?

The tsunami that hit Sri Lanka was one of the worst tragedies we faced. We lost several thousand people and had major damage to our infrastructure, to our homes, our harbors and also to several hotels of our tourist industry. However, the recovery and rehabilitation program is well advanced and much of the economic damage has now been dealt with.

Here I must say China played a major role in assisting in the rehabilitation of some of our harbors as well as rebuilding villages affected by the tsunami. Apart from government aid and assistance, it was from the people of China that we got the most assistance at that time.

With regard to tsunami warning systems, we are building a chain of communications within the country to keep the people alerted about any future tsunamis. However, this needs to link up with an international network so that warnings of tsunamis that originate in Southeast Asian seas can immediately be conveyed to countries in South Asia like Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is a member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. How do you view the prospect of South Asian integration?

Sri Lanka is a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Although progress was slow at first, we have now achieved a fair degree of economic and other cooperation among the member states of SAARC. We have signed a South Asia Free Trade Agreement and this will help to develop our trade ties. However, much more needs to be done to really increase connectivity not only through roads and infrastructure but also by the standardization of procedures and regulations so that trade and economic relations will be smoother. Several projects have been identified, on which the SAARC countries will work together among themselves and also with assistance from the United Nations.

I am also happy that an initiative that Sri Lanka strongly supported has now been successful. This is the acceptance of China as an observer in SAARC. China can make a major contribution to South Asian cooperation, commencing with the summit in New Delhi in April.

The South Asian countries, despite their diversity, share a common heritage apart from being bound by proximity. While we have major areas in which we can cooperate for economic betterment, there are also factors with a negative influence in the region, such as terrorism, which knows no borders. I am hopeful for the future of SAARC as I believe the advantages of cooperation, and the economic benefits that come from bringing our people closer, will certainly prevail.