<p>The EU and Sri Lanka held an informal counter-terrorism dialogue today, chaired by Gilles de Kerchove, the EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator. .</p>
<p>Challenges relating to violent extremism and terrorism were discussed. The EU delegation underlined the importance of efficient coordination of counterterrorism effortts with a focus on the prevention of violent extremism and the importance of counterterrorism responses to be in line with human rights obligations. </p>
<p>The EU presented Sri Lanka with a support package worth EUR 8.5 million which will focus on law enforcement, rehabiliation and disengagement, counter-narratives, and online radicalisation. </p>
<p>Mr de Kerchove was set to hold meetings with President Maithiripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tilak Marapana. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
We need your support. Every contribution counts.
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.