Former Indian FM expresses support for APRC proposals

“Responding to Shri Sinha’s suggestion that for a political settlement to be durable, there should be bipartisan consensus, Minister Bogollagama highlighted the fact that the Government itself is composed of several parties of different ideologies, including a significant number of UNP members.”
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(April 25, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Former Foreign and Finance Minister of India, Shri Yaswant Sinha expressed his support for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution by the Government, in line with the recommendation of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC). He made this observation when he paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the Foreign Ministry today (24 April 2008).

Minister Bogollagama welcoming the distinguished visitor, recalled the latter’s visit to Sri Lanka in 2002. The Foreign Minister gave a detailed briefing to Shri Yaswant Sinha on current developments in Sri Lanka, particularly relating to the restoration of civil administration and the democratic process in the Eastern Province, following the clearing of the Province of the LTTE last year. He highlighted the fact that all major national political parties, including the main opposition United National Party (UNP) are contesting the forthcoming Provincial Council elections to be held on 10 May 2008.

Responding to Shri Sinha’s suggestion that for a political settlement to be durable, there should be bipartisan consensus, Minister Bogollagama highlighted the fact that the Government itself is composed of several parties of different ideologies, including a significant number of UNP members. Shri Sinha noted that the LTTE demand for a separate state was completely unacceptable.

The Foreign Minister endorsed the view of Shri Sinha that the successful implementation of the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement has paved the way for the current negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries, which upon conclusion, would further strengthen bilateral relations.
- Sri Lanka Guardian