Basil briefs Indian MPs team

The visiting Indian delegation led by Leader of the Opposition MP (Lok Sabha) Shrimathi Sushma Swaraj met Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa yesterday.

The delegation consists of 12 Members of Parliament representing many parties in Lok Sabha and Raja Saba in the Indian Parliament.

Head of the delegation Swaraj stated that they respect the integrity of Sri Lanka and wish for stronger ties between two countries.

As the Minister is more involved in reconstruction of the conflict affected area, they wanted the Minister to brief the delegation.

While welcoming the delegation the Minister stated that IDP crisis is not a new thing in Sri Lanka and it was there for last 30 years. However the Government was able to resettle 95% of the IDPs displaced after 2005 with better facilities than they enjoyed before the crisis. What is left, are old IDPs, mainly Muslims and some Tamil families who fled to the India and other countries during the conflict period. Now all facilities required for civilian life are in operation in these areas and IDPs are provided with core houses using the tin sheets and cement granted by the Indian Government. In addition another 50,000 permanent houses are being built in the conflict affected areas with the help of Indian Government’s financial Assistance. IDPs were also provided with cash grants, cash for works, resettlement kits and six months dry food ration now extended for two years.

The Minister said all infrastructure facilities such as road, railway line, harbours and airports were developed and agriculture, fisheries and other economic activities were restored. Sri Lanka was able to bring normalcy to conflict affected areas within a short period of time. Minister suggested the delegation should visit Kilinochchi and observe the changes themselves.

While thanking the Minister, the head of the delegation and several other members of the delegation expressed their satisfaction regarding the massive efforts taken by the Government of Sri Lanka in resettling the IDPS and physical infrastructure and livelihood development in conflict affected areas.

The delegation suggested sufficient publicity and public awareness should be created in Tamil Nadu in order to make them aware the real situation of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. They further suggested that suspicion between two communities should be eliminated for long lasting peace.

While welcoming the suggestions, Minister stated that Government has taken all necessary steps to make civilian life in conflict affected area a normal. Government was able to have presidential and parliamentary elections in north and the local Government election also concluded and planning to have provincial council election also in the near future.

Shri M. Krisnaswamy MP-BJP, Shri N.S.V Chitthan MP, Shri Manicka Tagore MP-INC, Dr. E.M Sudarsana Natchiappan MP- INC, Shri J.D Seelam MP- INC, Shri T.K. Rangarajan MP-CPI, Dr. Balbir Punj MP- BSP, Shri Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi MP-BSP, Shri Shailendra Kumar MP-SP, Shri Sidhant Mohapatra MP-BJD, Shri Wishwa Mohan Kumar MP-JD(u) were included in the delegation.

Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera, High commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha, Deputy High Commissioners of India P. Kumaran and V. Manangam, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and officials of the Ministry of Economic Development also participated in the discussion.