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Ethnic or religious political parties are a critical problem in formulating foreign policy: G.L Peiris

13 Sep 2021

As a part of his remarks made at the G20 Interfaith Forum in Bologna, Italy, Foreign Minister G.L Peiris expressed that political parties which profess overtly to be ethnic or religious in character and complexion are a critical problem with regard to the formulation of foreign policy. “There is no need for such parties to detach themselves from the national policy by the formation and emergence of political groupings that are sectarian. This is hugely detrimental to the solidarity and unity of our countries,” he stated. The Minister also noted that in Sri Lanka, minority communities have reached the pinnacle of political power as members of national political parties, while adding that this has not inhibited their rise within the democratic system. It was also mentioned that any enlightened foreign policy has to be based upon the concept of mature nationhood.  “Foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy. You cannot do it in an acrimonious and divided way,” he said. While adding that Sri Lanka is a country where different parts of the nation speak different languages and hail from a multitude of cultural backgrounds, the Minister remarked that education plays a key role in bridging this gap. “Different ethnic communities are being compartmentalised. There is hardly any opportunity for young people to get to know each other because of languages. Education and a link language plays a key role,” Minister Peiris highlighted.  


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