Be vigilant of LTTE fronts: GL tells EU

External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris while acknowledging the ongoing cooperation on counter-terrorism and judicial action taken by several member countries of the European Union against terrorist elements said LTTE front organisations were continuing to raise funds.

The minister met the Delegation for Relations with Countries of South Asia and stressed the importance of sustained vigilance in this regard.

They agreed to schedule dates for the 18th European Union–Sri Lanka Joint Commission in Brussels within the next few months.

The Minister referred to Europol’s Terrorist Situation and Trend Report (TESAT) this year which states that these organisations are still considered active and benefitting from some support, especially in countries with a significant diaspora. Members of the European Parliament delegation shared with the Minister their impressions gathered during their visit to the North. The minister briefed them on the implementation of the LLRC Report, the preparations underway for the Business Forum on the sidelines of CHOGM, in which business leaders from several European countries outside the Commonwealth will participate and on other current issues in Sri Lanka.

The discussions included the Erasmus Mundus Programme for postgraduate studies in European Universities and co-operation in the field of fisheries.

The minister said the delegation had the opportunity of making its own independent assessment because the members had visited the country as recently as last year, and they could now observe for themselves the progress since then. The government, he said, welcomed this, because what was important was that foreign delegations should be able to rely on their own judgment rather than be influenced by propaganda.

The delegation led by Jean LAMBERT included Thomas MANN, Salvador SEDO ALABART, Horst SCHNELLHARDT, Niccolo RINALDI, Nirj DEVA, Signe OHAKAS, Francois MAS-

The discussions included the Erasmus Mundus Programme for postgraduate studies in European Universities and co-operation in the field of fisheries

SOULIE, Ainhoa MARKULETA, Sabine MEYER, Francisca NEHER, Andrea SEIDENSTUECKER and Bettina EXNER-MARA.