delegation
22 April 2007
Pretoria: South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will host a
senior Sri Lankan delegation for discussions aimed at sharing South Africa's
constitutional experiences on Monday, 23 April 2007 at the Union Buildings in
Pretoria.
The Sri Lankan delegation will consist of the Minister of Social Services
and Social Welfare, Douglas Devananda and the leader of the Tamil United
Liberation Front (TULF) Honourable V Anandasangaree. The Sri Lankan delegation
is expected to visit South Africa from Monday to Saturday, 23 to 28 April 2007
during which they will visit Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
Deputy Minister Pahad will host this delegation within the framework of
South Africa's Road Map of engagement with the broad leadership of Sri Lanka
with a view to conflict resolution in that country. The Road Map aims to
support the Norwegian led facilitation team to promote dialogue and seek ways
to return to peace negotiations.
This visit will pave the way for an invitation to the Sri Lankan President
to visit South Africa on an official working visit to engage all
stakeholders.
While in South Africa the delegation is expected to hold talks with Minister
Zola Skweyiya, the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS)
Pravin Gordhan, participate in a conference hosted by the Department of Foreign
Affairs, Justice Albie Sachs, the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Portfolio
Committee, the Deputy Secretary-General of the ANC Sanki Mthembi-Mahanyele,
Blade Nzimande of the South African Communist Party, Ella Gandhi of the Gandhi
Foundation, interact with Tamil groups based in Durban, and the African Centre
for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD).
The delegation is expected to depart from South Africa on Saturday, 28 April
2007.
Media programme for meeting between Sri Lankan delegation and Deputy Foreign
Minister Aziz Pahad
Monday, 23 April 2007
11h30: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and Sri Lankan
delegation
Venue: Second Floor East Wing, Union Buildings Pretoria
(Please RSVP)
(Please present press cards)
(Parking on Government Avenue)
Contact: Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
12h00: Deputy Minister Pahad to commence discussions with Sri Lankan
delegation
Photo opportunity
12h30: Arrival of media ahead of press conference on conclusion of discussions
between Deputy Minister Pahad and Sri Lankan delegation
Venue: First Floor East Wing, Union Buildings, Pretoria
(Please RSVP)
(Please present press cards)
(Parking on Government Avenue)
Contact: Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587
13h00: Press conference
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 April 2007
