Mr. Chairman, I look around the room here today and I see many of the same faces which first gathered in Oslo almost seven months ago in a clear demonstration of the international community’s united support for the peace process. What I remember most about that snowy November day is the promise for a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka, which filled the room. That promise did not flow simply from the encouraging words we uttered, nor from the financial commitments we pledged; but, more importantly, it flowed from the presence of Ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka, and leaders of the LTTE sitting together, before the international community, in a tangible expression of their partnership for peace.

Mr. Chairman, given that very promising beginning, Canada deeply regrets the decision of the LTTE not to participate in this meeting. Only if both sides remain fully engaged in the peace process – at all levels – can our collective hope for a peaceful and prosperous future for Sri Lanka be realized. In the charged atmosphere of the past several weeks, it is all the more important to remind ourselves of the significant progress, which has been made, thus far, in the peace process:

Mr. Chairman, these are significant accomplishments. Canada has every reason to believe that they can be expanded into further progress, if the requisite spirit of partnership, and joint commitment to the peace process, is re-kindled. Canada joins with our international partners in calling upon the LTTE to fully re-engage in the peace process, at all levels. We urge the LTTE leadership to stay the course, until a permanent solution to the conflict is achieved – a settlement that satisfies the legitimate aspirations of all Sri Lankans, regardless of language, ethnicity, or religion, while preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity.

Mr. Chairman, the funds I pledge here today, on behalf of the Government of Canada, are for the re-construction and development of a post – conflict Sri Lanka. Canada is prepared to pledge an additional 5 million dollars Canadian, over-and-above our current programming, for this year, once the LTTE re-engage in the process by returning to the peace talks. The disbursement of these funds will be informed by the priorities identified in the Needs Assessment for the Conflict-Affected Areas, and in the Regaining Sri Lanka document. Moreover, Canada is willing to consider additional pledges when the two parties demonstrate continued tangible progress towards a political solution to the conflict.

Mr. Chairman, there are two issues of particular importance to the success of the peace process that I would like to highlight. Through direct experience, Canada has learned how a federal structure of government can help peoples of diverse language, religion, and ethnicity, live and prosper together. We have learned how peoples’ uniqueness can be preserved and respected within a unified country. We believe these are valuable lessons, which along with the experiences of other federal states, can, and should be shared. Since last November, the Canadian-based international think-tank, the Forum of Federations, has been sharing knowledge and expertise with both the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka, regarding options for some form of federalism, suitably tailored to Sri Lanka’s unique circumstances. The Government of Canada has been supporting this work of the Forum of Federations, and is prepared to continue such support, as long as the parties continue to find it useful.

Secondly, the safe return and re-establishment of IDPs is dependent upon the removal of land mines. Shortly after the Oslo meeting, last November, the Sri Lankan Campaign to Ban Landmines presented the parties with a petition carrying 2 million signatures. It called upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ratify the Ottawa Convention on the elimination of anti-personnel mines, and upon the LTTE to sign a parallel agreement committing to the principles of the Convention. Mr. Chairman, Canada re-iterates our long-standing call for the Government of Sri Lanka to join the 139 countries, which have already signed the Convention, and for the LTTE to undertake a parallel commitment.

Mr. Chairman, after this conference concludes, the parties must get back to the negotiating table and earnestly embark upon the creation of a road map to a peaceful political settlement. For a lasting peace, this road map must be built upon a number of basic principles, most notably: respect for human rights, including the rights of women, children, and minorities throughout the island, including the legitimate concerns of the Muslim community; democratic governance, including a recognition of the important role of civil society; the rule of law; as well as fiscal transparency and accountability.

I will conclude my remarks where I began, with a reflection upon the hope and promise stemming from last November’s Oslo meeting. In Oslo, the parties pledged to us their resolve to negotiate a permanent solution to the conflict. We responded by pledging our political and financial support. The international community has gathered here in Tokyo to rededicate ourselves to supporting the Sri Lankan peace process. Canada reaffirms our commitment to supporting the parties to the peace process as Sri Lanka moves forward to regain its rightful place amongst the community to peaceful and prosperous nations of the world.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.