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Sri Lanka will address India’s concerns

COLOMBO: Maintaining that Sri Lanka has got ‘maximum support’ from India in crushing the LTTE, Basil Rajapaksa, a senior advisor to the President has said that the Mahinda Rajapaksa government would take ‘some measures’ to address concerns of New Delhi over humanitarian issues triggered by the ongoing war in the island nation.

In an interview to the state run weekly, Sunday Observer Mr. Rajapaksa, one of the brothers of the President, charged that ‘some pro-LTTE elements’ were attempting to disrupt the government’s development initiatives in the East and the North. However, he declined to identify them.

“It is unfortunate to say that some of the local elements have joined these external foreign elements to destroy this development process now. They know that it is difficult to defeat the Mahinda Rajapaksa government if this development continues. So, these elements can try to defeat the government to achieve their targets. But, we strongly believe that people of this country will never let these external forces defeat the government,” he said.

In response to a question on the Indian concerns, Mr. Rajapaksa asserted that India had always been with the government. “We got maximum support from India to crush the LTTE. Last week, the Deputy High Commissioner was summoned by the Indian government and they have stated their concerns.

“The government is seriously considering these concerns now. President Rajapaksa has already instructed the Secretary to take some measures to address their concerns. In that discussion it was told that two major political parties have responded very actively and positively to Sri Lankan issues. From our side, the government will take all the measures to address those concerns,” he said.

The Senior Advisor to the President said India’s main concern was about the civilians in the North and the issues faced by the fisherfolk. “We have already taken serious note of addressing these issues and if there are some shortcomings we will address them soon”.

Mr. Rajapaksa told the paper that Sri Lanka needed international support to eliminate terrorism and was getting adequate support from foreign friends. “Here, the support from our neighbour is very vital. We have a good foreign policy and we are friendly with all the countries.”

He disclosed that the President had a meeting with India’s High Commissioner Alok Prasad last Tuesday.

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Sri Lanka will address India’s concerns

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