Rajapaksa asked Zuma for help with peace – South Africa’s Special Envoy
South Africa’s Special Envoy to Sri Lanka said his government agreed to become involved in the island’s “struggle for peace” after President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s requested President Jacob Zuma’s assistance when he visited Colombo last year.
In his first public comments on his role, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, also Deputy President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), said South Africa’s post-Apartheid success in building a new nation that embraced democracy and human rights had endeared the country to many others around the world, including Sri Lanka.
“Our country used to be the pariah of the world, and today we are the darling of the world... Some of those that have come to respect us greatly are countries like Sri Lanka,” he said in a speech on April 18th, at Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu Natal.
“When our president went to Sri Lanka, [President Rajapaksa] said: 'President Zuma please could you assist us to find permanent peace amongst our people here in Sri Lanka?'."
“He said he would like South Africa to play a critical role in helping to cement the people of Sri Lanka together,” Mr. Ramaphosa told an audience largely of South Africans of Tamil descent at a 'Hindu Easter' event by the Shri Mariammen Temple.
In his first public comments on his role, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, also Deputy President of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), said South Africa’s post-Apartheid success in building a new nation that embraced democracy and human rights had endeared the country to many others around the world, including Sri Lanka.
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| Cyril Ramaphosa addressing crowds at Mount Edgecombe. Photograph Tamil Guardian |
“Our country used to be the pariah of the world, and today we are the darling of the world... Some of those that have come to respect us greatly are countries like Sri Lanka,” he said in a speech on April 18th, at Mount Edgecombe, KwaZulu Natal.
“When our president went to Sri Lanka, [President Rajapaksa] said: 'President Zuma please could you assist us to find permanent peace amongst our people here in Sri Lanka?'."
“He said he would like South Africa to play a critical role in helping to cement the people of Sri Lanka together,” Mr. Ramaphosa told an audience largely of South Africans of Tamil descent at a 'Hindu Easter' event by the Shri Mariammen Temple.
