International concern on the political crisis in Sri Lanka

Transcript of a Press Briefing by Thomas C. Dawson
Director, External Relations Department
International Monetary Fund, Washington, D.C.
November 06, 2003

QUESTIONER: My question is on Sri Lanka. With the political situation that developed yesterday, I was wondering what was the situation with the second loan payment that was due I think just after the budget of November the 12th?

MR. DAWSON: On the economic front, recovery has, in fact, been taking hold. The budget was under some pressure, but the government took remedial measures, and the performance has been quite satisfactory.

We certainly hope that the present constitutional uncertainty is resolved quickly so the confidence can be, which as I say has improved significantly in the last year, is not eroded. Because I think there has been hard-earned macro stability that needs to be maintained.

I do not have a date for the next mission or review, and I would have to get back to you on that.

Statement by Spokesperson on developments in Sri Lanka
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi
Press Release
November 04, 2003

We are surprised at the sudden political developments in Sri Lanka today. We hope that the situation does not provoke a constitutional crisis, which would impact on political stability in Sri Lanka and on the ongoing peace process. We also hope that a way can be urgently found through political dialogue to avoid these adverse consequences.

SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES DECISIONS BY SRI LANKA’S PRESIDENT
DO NOT HARM PEACE PROCESS
United Nations Organisation
Press Release
November 04, 2003

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The Secretary-General is following closely political developments in Sri Lanka. He hopes that President Kumaratunga’s decisions, which were announced today, including a temporary suspension of parliament, will not have a negative impact on the peace process. The Secretary-General wishes to reiterate that he continues to support this process.

Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding the current situation in Sri Lanka
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
Press Release
November 05, 2003

1. The Government of Japan is observing the current development in Sri Lanka with concern. The Government of Japan wishes that all the parties concerned including President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe will cooperate with each other in a constructive and practical manner, respecting the functioning of the democratic institutions, with a view to settling the current situation swiftly and promoting the peace process.

2. The Government of Japan is aware that the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) submitted on 31 October a counter-proposal to the proposal previously submitted by the Government of Sri Lanka regarding an interim administration. The Government of Japan understands that this LTTE counter-proposal differs in some fundamental aspects from the proposal of the Government of Sri Lanka, and strongly hopes that the peace talks will be resumed promptly, so as to bridge the gap between both parties through direct negotiations.