Mr Smith’s Office: Courtney Hoogen 02 6277 7500 or 0488 244901
Departmental : (02) 6261 1555
MEDIA RELEASE
Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
M E D I A R E L E A S E
AA 08 62
13 October 2008
MEETING WITH SRI LANKAN FOREIGN MINISTER BOGOLLAGAMA
Today I met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in Canberra.
Mr Bogollagama and I discussed the close ties which Australia and Sri Lanka have enjoyed for many
years, in particular the strength of people-to-people links through migration and education.
Over 5,000 Sri Lankans are currently studying in Australia, acquiring skills and knowledge which will
help drive Sri Lanka’s development in the future.
We will continue our dialogue on matters of mutual concern, including illegal migration and counter-
terrorism. We discussed Australia’s strong interest in engaging more closely with South Asia, including
as an observer at meetings of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
In 2008-09 Australia will provide over $27 million in development assistance to Sri Lanka, which will
include support for peace building and community rehabilitation activities; humanitarian assistance;
food aid; education programs and agriculture capacity building.
Today I advised Minister Bogollagama the Australian Government will provide nearly $6 million over 3
years for primary school education in Sri Lanka. The funding will support a UNICEF program to
improve access to quality primary education for thousands of children across over 600 schools in Sri
Lanka. These include children who are marginalised, vulnerable and living with disabilities.
I also raised the Australian Government’s concerns about the ongoing violence in Sri Lanka and the
worsening humanitarian situation. Australia’s view remains that Sri Lanka’s conflict cannot be resolved
through military means alone. All parties to the conflict must work towards a political solution that
meets the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans.
It is essential that Government agencies and international organisations continue to work together to
ensure those who flee the fighting are able to get access to essential support in a way that preserves
their dignity, their family structures and their human rights.
I encourage the Sri Lankan Government to continue taking a constructive approach to facilitating the
continued delivery of essential food and other items to displaced civilians in the conflict area. This
needs to occur so that essential supplies can reach needy populations without discrimination.
NEWS 
