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Ensure safety of Tamils, Manmohan tells Rajapaksa

Sandeep Dikshit

Calls for negotiated settlement to conflict in Sri Lanka

— PHOTO: AFP

Towards a solution: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in New Delhi on Thursday. Talking to journalists, Mr. Rajapaksa asserted that terrorism should be eradicated and it could not be passed on to the next generation.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday urged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to “ensure at all costs” the safety and welfare of the Tamil community. Conveying the entire content of the resolution passed on Wednesday by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on the situation in northern Sri Lanka, Dr. Singh emphasised the need for a negotiated settlement to the conflict within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

Joint statement

The Prime Minister also mentioned the need to adhere to the joint statement on fishing arrangements agreed upon by both sides during the recent visit of Sri Lankan President’s special envoy, Basil Rajapaksa, to ensure that no Indian fisherman was killed.

Mr. Rajapaksa gave an assurance that his Navy was exercising the utmost restraint and that Sri Lanka was committed to the joint statement.

The Prime Minister referred to the 2,000 tonnes of food and other relief material being sent by the government of Tamil Nadu for distribution to the internally displaced persons (IDP) in northern Sri Lanka. The consignment is being transported and coordinated by the government of India.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was present, also stressed the need for a negotiated settlement and desired regular supply of food and other items to civilians and IDPs affected by the conflict. He also emphasised the need for further devolution of power to the provinces and full implementation of the 13th Amendment.

Mr. Rajapaksa said he was committed to a negotiated settlement and urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down arms before talks could be held. He assured the Prime Minister that all efforts were being made to ensure the safety of civilians and IDPs in conflict areas and food supply to the affected Tamil population was continuing uninterrupted. Mr. Rajapaksa acknowledged India’s concern for the well-being of Tamil civilians caught in the battle between the armed forces and the LTTE, but said Colombo wanted to finish off the militant outfit before initiating political talks.

“We must eradicate terrorism first. We can’t pass this on to the next generation,” Mr. Rajapaksa observed. At the same time,. “We assure you. We assured the Prime Minister [Dr. Singh] and the entire world that we will look after the Tamils. Nothing will happen to them. We are looking after our people. It is my duty,” Mr. Rajapaksa told journalists after the meeting with Dr. Singh.

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