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PM holds talks with Sinn Fein, Labour leaders
From Neville de Silva in London
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse spent three days in Northern Ireland studying the political situation there, muddied recently by provocations by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) banned here as a terrorist organisation.

Mr. Rajapakse's visit to Northern Ireland was at the invitation of the University of Ulster. It allowed the Prime Minister to have talks with a wide range of political leaders and parties including Martin McGuinness, a key figure in Sinn Fein, widely recognised as the political wing of the banned IRA. Mr. Rajapakse, who arrived in Northern Ireland on March 20, also had talks with Mark Durkan, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and others from the Democratic Unionist Party and the Progressive Unionist Party.

Prime Minister Rajapakse's visit to Northern Ireland came at a critical time, with mounting public anger against the IRA and a demand for Sinn Fein to sever links with gun-toting terrorists. The recent violence by the IRA is currently turning even supporters against the banned group.

On his return to London, Mr Rajapakse attended a reception, hosted by the new High Commissioner Kshenuka Senewiratne, attended by a wide cross-section of the Sri Lankan community here including two former high commissioners to the UK now resident here. The premier is expected to leave London today.

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