Media Statement
26 May 2015
Deputy Minister Mfeketo meets representatives of the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora
The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Nomaindiya Mfeketo, has concluded a series of meetings with representatives of International Tamil Diaspora organisations from Sri Lanka, held on 25 May 2015 in London, United Kingdom.
Deputy Minister Mfeketo’s engagement with the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora organisations follows her earlier visit to Sri Lanka, where she led an advance and technical team of experts to the country in February 2015.
Representatives from a number of Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora groups attended the meeting during which the Deputy Minister briefed the participants on South Africa’s involvement in Sri Lanka. She also engaged in a discussion and an exchange of views on how the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora could contribute towards the peace and reconciliation process unfolding in Sri Lanka.
South Africa’s engagement in Sri Lanka stems from the request by former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to President Jacob Zuma during the 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo in November 2013 and a subsequent invitation from Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for South Africa to engage through its Special Envoy and share its experiences in political dialogue, negotiations, reconciliation and nation-building. The same sentiments were also relayed to President Zuma by the leadership of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in February 2014, President Zuma announced the appointment of the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, as his Special Envoy for Sri Lanka.
One of the cornerstones of the South African initiative in Sri Lanka is to consult with stakeholders within and external to Sri Lanka as part of South Africa’s initiatives aimed at promoting a lasting political solution, peace initiatives, truth-telling and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. This includes some members of the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora.
South African government leaders have also engaged South Africa-based Tamil civil society groups through Deputy Minister Mfeketo.
Enquiries: Clayson Monyela, 082 884 5974
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