President Rajapaksha Gave Promises to Delhi over Cause of Tamils

(November 13, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh of India had a bilateral meeting on 13th November, on the margins of the Second BIMSTEC Summit being held on that same day in New Delhi. They were assisted in their discussion by their respective Foreign Ministers, Mr. Rohitha Bogollagama and Mr. Pranab Mukherjee.

The Indian Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Rajapaksa having sent to Delhi at the end of last month as a Special Envoy his Senior Advisor and Member of Parliament, Mr. Basil Rajapaksa. The Prime Minister added that the discussions on that occasion had been most constructive and that he valued the facilitatory arrangements expeditiously put in place by the Government of Sri Lanka, for the distribution of relief to the civilian population in the affected Districts of the Northern Province.

Having taken note of the Resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu State Assembly on 12th November 2008 calling for a ceasefire in Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized that he and his dministration have always been for a political solution. However, it is the LTTE that repeatedly violated its obligations and embarked on a path of conflict and terror. Moreover, it is necessary to be mindful of the LTTE's past track record of using a ceasefire in order to re-group and re-arm, with no intention of a political solution. Accordingly, the Government will engage in discussions only if the LTTE lays down its arms first, thereby preventing the resumption of a another round of terrorism, as has always happened in the past.

President Rajapaksa emphasized that the Tamil people are very much a part of his responsibilities as the Head of State and Government and that he would take all measures for their safety, security and elfare. He pointed out in this regard that he had invited all opposition political parties to meet with him for a discussion on the situation. All had responded, with the exception of the TNA.

President Rajapaksa used the opportunity to brief his Indian counterpart on the current positive developments in the Eastern Province and the progressive empowerment of the provincial administration. He added that similarly democracy would be revitalized in the North as well through the electoral process, once that area is liberated from the terror of the LTTE. Even at the present consultations were going ahead with the Commissioner of Elections on holding Municipal Council elections in Jaffna.

The two Leaders also had an useful discussion on the bilateral cooperation currently underway between India and Sri Lanka, including in the field of energy and power generation and in particular the progress being made in setting up of the NTPC - CEB Power Plant in Sampur in the Eastern Province. - Sri Lanka Guardian