The courageous steps and the foresight of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the peace initiatives were commended by the Undersecretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for Europe, Peter Hain, when he met the Minister of Economic Reform, Science & Technology Milinda Moragoda on September 26, in his office.

He requested Minister Moragoda to congratulate Prime Minister Wickremesinghe on his behalf, on the breakthrough he has achieved in the peace process.  Hain said he had followed the outcome of the initial phase of the peace talks with great interest and was convinced that the present climate was conducive to proceed with the course that has been initiated.  Minister Moragoda outlined the issues addressed during the peace talks and he hoped that the international community will sustain its interest in the developments in Sri Lanka.

He said he was looking towards to the donor countries to provide foreign assistance for the country’s economic development and reconstruction plan.

He briefed Hain, regarding the proposal to convene a high-level donor conference for the rehabilitation and development of Sri Lanka.  Mr. Hain welcomed the proposal and was confident that there would be participation of the donor community.