Friday, March 29, 2024
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EU offers EUR 8.5 million support package for Sri Lanka’s Peace & Stability

The European Union (EU) underlined the importance of efficient coordination of counter terrorism efforts, the essence of focusing on the prevention of violent extremism and the importance of counter terrorism responses to be fully in line with human rights obligations.

This was emphasized at an informal counterterrorism dialogue between EU and Sri Lanka recently chaired on the EU side by EU Counter terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove, accompanied by EEAS Head of Division for Counter terrorism John Gatt-Rutter, and on the Sri Lankan side by Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed A. Jawad.

Mr de Kerchove pledged the EU's solidarity with Sri Lanka following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. Common challenges relating to violent extremism and terrorism were discussed and experience regarding responses was shared.

The EU presented a support package for Sri Lanka under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace to be implemented with the UNODC and UNDP.

The package worth EUR 8.5 million will notably focus on law enforcement, rehabilitation and disengagement, counter-narratives, and online radicalisation.

Following the dialogue, Mr de Kerchove was set to hold meetings with H.E. President Maithripala Sirisena, the Hon. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana.

(LI)