India has urged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to begin a structured dialogue with Tamils and other communities with a view to finding a permanent solution.
Letter to Chief Minister
In a letter to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna said that the Sri Lankan Government, during his visit to the island nation, had reaffirmed its commitment to resettle most of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), numbering around 16,000 to 17,000, before the end of this year.
India's assistance for the resettlement of IDPs and the rehabilitation of northern and eastern Sri Lanka had been greatly appreciated by the people of the region, Mr. Krishna said adding that he inaugurated projects on the construction of northern railway lines and a pilot housing project for 1000 houses in the Northern Province.
In order to give a fillip to the livelihood activities of the IDPs, Mr. Krishna said he had participated in distributing 500 tractors and other farm implements to the people of Northern Sri Lanka.
Assuring the Chief Minister that India would do whatever possible to ensure a peaceful and dignified life for the IDPs, Mr. Krishna recalled the inauguration of Consulate General's office in Jaffna during his visit to strengthen people-to-people ties with that region.
Safety of fishermen
He said he had also taken up the matter of ensuring the safety and security of Indian fishermen and stressed on the need to adhere to the India – Sri Lanka 2008 understanding on fishing arrangements which has had a salutary effect on the situation.
