Indian PM calls for reconciliation in Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh yesterday called for reconciliation in Sri Lanka and an honourable settlement for the Tamil issue.

He said this while addressing the Rajya Sabha after the Indian President had given a speech, the Indian Prime Minister’s office said.

The Prime Minister said India was willing to work with the Sri Lankan Government to ensure that the Tamil people get a chance to lead a life of dignity as equal citizens.

“There must be political reconciliation. The Sri Lankan Government must take initiatives to work with the Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka,” the Prime Minister said.

Just yesterday the Indian Lok Sabha had a heated debate on the Sri Lankan issue with both Opposition and Government members exchanging views and raising concerns.

The Indian Opposition called on the Indian Government to push for a political solution in Sri Lanka and urge the Government to address human rights concerns.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid refused to spell out the Indian Government’s stand on the upcoming UN rights panel vote on Sri Lanka but said it would take into consideration Parliamentarians’ views on the issue.

Not satisfied with the Minister’s response, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AIADMK, DMK and MDMK walked out of the Lok Sabha where Khurshid was replying to a short duration discussion on the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils.

The Congress Party said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had made it very clear that any reports violation of human rights was something that needed to be condemned.

Congress Spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Ministry were constantly in touch with the Sri Lankan Government to ensure that rights of the Tamils enshrined both in their Constitution and various agreements were followed through.

(Colombo Gazette)