Lanka appreciates China's support in safeguarding sovereignty

During the talks, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris appreciated China's political and economic support to Colombo's efforts "in safeguarding its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and providing assistance for its economic and social development", the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

"China attaches great importance to developing the comprehensive cooperative partnership with the south Asian nation," Yang Jiechi told Peiris referring to progress made by Colombo in economic and social reconstruction after civil war ended with the defeat of LTTE in 2009.

Yang said that China believes that the Sri Lankan government and people have the capacity to achieve national reconciliation, social stability and economic prosperity.
The talks has not made any reference to the UN Panel report that accused Sri Lanka of committing war crimes during the last stages war against LTTE rebels.

China has already said that international community should not to complicate the issue and leave it to Sri Lanka to handle it.

"China believes the Sri Lankan government and people will handle properly problems concerning its civil war and urge the international community not to complicate the issue," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on April 30.

China has emerged as a close ally of Sri Lanka with heavy economic and military aid to the island raising concerns in India over the strategic relationship.

Peiris visited India a week ago and met Prime Minister Manmoham Singh and External Affairs Minister S M Krishna during which Indian leaders urged Colombo to expeditiously implement steps to ensure resettlement and genuine reconciliation, including early return, of Internally Displaced Persons to their homes.

India also asked Sri Lankan to restore normality in affected areas, and to redress the humanitarian concerns of affected families.