Remarks by EAM on his meeting with Sri Lankan delegation...!!!

Remarks by EAM on his meeting with Sri Lankan delegation

I just received the delegation from Sri Lanka which includes the Senior Adviser to the Sri Lankan President, Basil Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka, Gothbaya Rajapakse and Secretary to the President, Lalith Weertunga.

2. We reviewed several issues related to our bilateral relations and developments in Sri Lanka. During the discussion, when I raised the question of rapid resettlement and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons in the Northern Sri Lanka, I was assured that the Sri Lankan Government will see to return IDPs to their homes, and to dismantle the camps in the timeframe of 180 days that they have indicated to us earlier. India will be assisting in the resettlement and rehabilitation process and we are committed to helping in the demining activity which must be the first step to permit the safe return to home of the IDPs.



3. We also discussed issues relating to the course of political events in Sri Lanka. I was assured that it is the intention of the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the proposal which would be an advance on the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, which you would recall was designed to devolve considerable power to the Sri Lankan provinces.

4. During this conversation I stressed that following the cessation of active hostilities in Sri Lanka there is an opportunity to make a new beginning and to build a better future for all the peoples of Sri Lanka and therefore for the region as a whole.

5. I also took this occasion to reiterate the need to strictly adhere to the understanding reached in October 2008 on matters relating to fishing. The Sri Lankan Government clarified that it does not contemplate putting up any military structures at Katchchativu.

6. I also requested the delegation that as a humanitarian gesture, the Sri Lankan Government allow the ship Captain Ali to off load the relief items on board meant for IDPs in Northern Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegation kindly agreed to our suggestion and these would now be routed to Sri Lanka through the Indian Red Cross.

New Delhi
24 June, 2009




http://meaindia.nic.in/cgi-bin/db2www/meaxpsite/coverpage.d2w/coverpg?sec=pb&filename=pressbriefing/2009/06/24pb01.htm

Muthamizh
Chennai