IDPs a key issue at Rajapaksa - Manmohan talks

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) took centre stage along with several other key political issues during yesterday’s meeting between the Sri Lankan and Indian leaders.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi discussed several matters of bilateral importance.

President Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi as a Guest of Honour to attend the closing ceremony of the 19th Commonwealth Games.

Sources said that both the leaders discussed on the progress of the joint programme to build 50,000 houses in the North and East to give shelter to those forced to become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to the conflict created by terrorism.

The also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in security and to continue implementing the agreements reached at the bilateral meeting between the two leaders last June.

Prime Minister Singh appreciated the efforts made by the Sri Lankan government in accelerating the development process with the restoration of peace. Singh was kept abreast of the progress in resettling IDPs and the success achieved so far. According to reports, Singh and Rajapaksa had also discussed matters pertaining to the Sri Lankan government’s plan for a political devolution.

Dr. Singh hosted a lunch for Rajapaksa during which informal discussions on various bilateral issues were held.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris who accompanied President Rajapaksa on his visit to New Delhi, held talks with his Indian counterpart S. M. Krishna yesterday.

“I did raise the issue of devolution of powers. Now that the parliamentary elections are over, it’s time for the Government of Sri Lanka to act decisively and win over the Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans so that their concerns and reservations are taken care of,” Krishna had reportedly stated in New Delhi.

He was referring to his discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart G. L. Peiris on Thursday that focused on the plight of Tamil civilians displaced by the war and steps taken by Colombo to expedite a political settlement of the ethnic issue.   

“Once it’s (devolution) done, they can embark on a development agenda. India will fully assist them in this process,” said Krishna, adding that New Delhi hoped that integration will be worked out.

“They (Sri Lanka) agree with this argument. They say their efforts are directed towards it,” added Krishna.

Prof. Peiris had reportedly apprised the Indian External Affairs Minister on the steps taken by the government to expedite the resettlement of the remaining displaced Tamil civilians and the development activities in the former war-torn region.

Krishna is scheduled to arrive in Colombo in the last week of October on an official visit. During his visit he is expected to tour the North to observe the progress of the resettlement of displaced Tamil people and hold discussions on the utilisation of Indian grants.

On Friday Prof. Peiris is scheduled to deliver the Foundation Day Address of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in New Delhi on “Growth, Equity, and Security: Constitutional Imperatives for South Asia”.

Indian Ministers P. Chidambaram, S.M. Krishna, Secretary, External Affairs Nirupama Rao; Sri Lanka External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris, President’s Coordinating Secretary on international affairs Sajin Vas Gunawardena; Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Romesh Jayasinghe participated at the discussion.