Amid reports that embattled LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran may escape to Thailand, the southeast Asian nation has assured the government here that it would not allow its territory to be used to destabilise friends like Sri Lanka."Sri Lanka's call for measures to counter terrorism that may spill over to the region and beyond following the military defeat of the LTTE in Sri Lanka received strong support from Thailand," the Foreign Ministry here said.
"Sri Lanka's call for measures to counter terrorism that may spill over to the region and beyond following the military defeat of the LTTE in Sri Lanka received strong support from Thailand," the Foreign Ministry here said.Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama in Bangkok yesterday that Colombo's concerns about attempts by terrorists to operate in the region would be further addressed.
He reaffirmed that Thailand would not allow anybody to use its territory to destabilise friends like Sri Lanka with which it had long-standing cultural and religious ties.
Thailand's assurance came against the backdrop of reports that Thailand, Malaysia or some European nation could be amongst the options Prabhakaran may explore to seek refuge.
The Thai Prime Minister said that it was in "all our interests" to end terrorism, adding that Sri Lanka's interests in this regard will be reciprocated.
His remarks came during a half-an-hour meeting he had with Bogollagama, who spelt out the dangers to the region and across the world because of the LTTE.
Bogollagama said the LTTE was trying to establish itself in new sanctuaries and continuing to engage in criminal activities such as arms smuggling, narcotics trade, human trafficking and money laundering.
The minister, who was on a day-long visit to Thailand, said that terrorism in all its forms must be rooted out.
Bogollagama also called on his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.
Bogollagama's concerns that remnants of the LTTE would not only try to re-establish themselves in new locations, but join hands with other terror groups and even turn into mercenaries offering their skills and expertise in terrorism found resonance in the high echelons of the Thai government, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Vejjajiva asked Colombo to provide information to Thai authorities about such activities. The Thai Defence Minister also assured Colombo that Thailand would not allow its soil to be used as a launching pad for "LTTE terrorism".
Earlier, Bogollagama pointed out the steps being taken to expand political pluralism, among other things, which had been long denied to the people of Sri Lanka's embattled north.
The Sri Lanka Foreign Minister said the government had a public mandate to end terrorism in the country.
"But while internally the government might end terrorism, he (Bogollagama) sought support from the region and outside to guard against any efforts in the long run by the LTTE to mushroom elsewhere," the statement said.
