EU-Sri Lanka hold informal counterterrorism dialogue

• 8.5 million euro support package for SL including law enforcement, rehabilitation and online radicalisation 
• EU says counterterrorism responses should be fully in line with human rights 
• EU official to meet President, PM 

 The European Union (EU) and Sri Lanka yesterday held an informal counterterrorism dialogue, which included a support package worth 8.5 million euros focused on law enforcement, rehabilitation and online radicalisation.

The talks were chaired on the EU side by EU Counterterrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove, accompanied by European Union External Action Service Division for Counterterrorism Head John Gatt-Rutter, and on the Sri Lankan side by Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Ahmed A. Jawad.

De Kerchove underlined 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 underlined the importance of efficient coordination of counterterrorism efforts, the essence of focusing on the prevention of violent extremism and the importance of counterterrorism responses to be fully in line with human rights obligations. 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 8.5 million euros will notably focus on law enforcement, rehabilitation and disengagement, counter-narratives, and online radicalisation.

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