FM explains Governments humanitarian efforts in North

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that information of a scarcity of food and essential substance in the Wanni are far from factual.
On the contrary, in spite of prevailing unfavorable weather circumstances and obstacles located by the LTTE, the Government has ensured that there is an continuous supply of food and basic supplies to the civilians in the un-cleared areas of the Wanni, who are wedged up in the present conflict.
The Minister made these observations throughout a meeting with the Parliamentary desk for International Development Assistance of Australia and the exchange Head of the Australian delegation Bob McMullan on the fringes of the Bali Democracy Forum in Bali, Indonesia last Thursday.
Responding to a inquiry from the Australian Minister, the Foreign Minister said that the Government has a well organised sharing network administered by the Government Agents of Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu to ensure that the food and humanitarian aid that the Government sends to the North actually reaches the displaced civilians.
He charged that the LTTE is holding civilians as a person shield and preventing them from coming to Vavuniya, where the Government has made complicated arrangements to receive them and give food, shelter and other amenities. He emphasized the significance of the international group of people to exert its force on the LTTE to allow the civilians to leave disagreement zone to safer areas under Government control.
He further affirmed that the Security Forces are on course to neutralise the military threat of the LTTE in the North and that the Government is keen to reinstate civil administration and democracy to these areas, so that the people who had been deprived of basic freedoms, due to the time in power of terror required by the LTTE, can once once more enjoy the fruits of democracy.
The Minister expressed his approval to Minister McMullan for the development assistance that Australia has provided to Sri Lanka over the years and in exacting, the recent improvement of the quantum of aid which has very much helped the Government's efforts for the strengthen of the communally and economically deprived sections of the people of Sri Lanka.
The Australian Minister thanked Minister Bogollagama for the comprehensive meeting on the state of affairs in Sri Lanka and stated that Australia looks forward to a earlier appointment with Sri Lanka in a number of areas of cooperation, including the growth of two-sided trade and asset, as well as development cooperation.
He also said that Australia is keen to develop relations with SAARC, in her ability as an Observer. Minister Bogollagama welcoming this idea, knowledgeable Minister McMullan that SAARC beneath Sri Lankas Chair is currently working out modalities for SAARC Observers to play a more active and meaningful role within SAARC, especially for the financial and social progression of the peoples of the area.
The Minister held two-sided talks with the Foreign Minister of Singapore, George Yeo, Head of the Japanese allocation and Special representative of the Prime Minister and previous Foreign Minister of Japan, Masahiko Koumura and the Head of the Chinese allocation and President of the Chinese People's organization of Foreign relationships Yang Wenchang, during which he discussed a range of issues of bilateral, local and international attention with the respective delegation.
Minister Bogollagama also held informal deliberations with the Malaysian Foreign Minister Dr. Dato Seri Utama Dr Rais Yatim and Secretary of Foreign relationships (Foreign Minister) of the Philippines Alberto Romulo during the Bali democratic system meeting.