External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday met leaders of Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party TNA led by its chief R Sampanthan, who briefed her about the efforts made by the government in moving forward the reconciliation process with the minority community.
“Engaging across the political spectrum. Leader of the Opposition, TNA’s R Sampanthan calls on EAM @SushmaSwaraj,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.
The Tamil National Alliance leaders apprised the Minister on the “various efforts that have been made by the government since January last year in moving forward the reconciliation process, the political process and expressed readiness to work with the government in fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Sri Lanka,” Indian High Commissioner to Colombo Y K Sinha said.
Ms. Swaraj also met Eastern Province Chief Minister Nazir Ahmad and leaders of Sri Lankan Muslim Congress and discussed various issues.
Later, she met leaders of Tamil Progressive Alliance and Ceylon Workers Congress, an Indian—origin Tamil party.
Sri Lankan government has made efforts for reconciliation since taking over power last year.
It has also begun drafting a new Constitution aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict and achieving reconciliation with Tamils so that there is no repeat of the nearly three decades—long civil war which ended in 2009 and claimed 100,000 lives.
