Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has concluded his working visit to Sri-Lanka, where he met with various political leaders.
The Deputy President visited Sri Lanka as a Special Envoy of President Jacob Zuma. On his trip, that kicked off on Monday, Deputy President Ramaphosa paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa to deliver a message from President Zuma.
South Africa was invited by the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil National Alliance to share the country’s experiences on lessons learnt from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as an integral part of their negotiated political settlement.
Ahead of the visit, Deputy President Ramaphosa said: “We will discuss with people in the community. We will also try to help the Sri Lankans with the Truth and Reconciliation process, their own constitutional reform and make sure Sri Lanka does indeed become a stable country where they will enjoy human rights."
Deputy President Ramaphosa met with various political leaders and delegations, including the Minister of External Affairs, Professor GL Peiris, the Leader of the opposition United National Party, R Wickremasinghe, the leadership of the Tamil National Alliance and the Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, J Wigneswaran.
He also visited the Northern Province, where he met with Governor of the Northern Province, Major General GA Chandasiri.
The Deputy President was accompanied by International Relations and Corporation Deputy Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo, High Commissioner Geoff Doidge and senior government officials. They were also joined by members of the South African civil society.
In February, President Zuma announced that Deputy President Ramaphosa had been appointed as South Africa’s special envoy to Sri Lanka and South Sudan. His appointment came at the request of Sri Lanka and South Sudan for assistance in bringing about peace and reconciliation.
“His expertise in conflict resolution and negotiations, as well as our country’s experience in this regard, will greatly assist the two countries to resolve their problems,” said the President during his State of the Nation address at the time.
Deputy President Ramaphosa will return to South Africa later today where he is expected to brief President Zuma on his engagements in Sri Lanka. - SAnews.gov.za
