KANDY: Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran on Saturday said India was committed to the development of Sri Lanka's north-east through ``economic and technical assistance.''

Mr. Saran, who arrived here on a four-day official visit, made these remarks at a function in the eastern Trincomalee district.

The presence of the petroleum joint venture, IOC-Lanka in the eastern district, and Indian assistance to the Trincomalee Technical College were ``symbolic and representative of the close and enduring ties that India has with north-eastern Sri Lanka,'' Mr. Saran said.

His remarks on India's commitment marks a significant reiteration of New Delhi's position.

They also come against the backdrop of efforts by the Sri Lankan Government to put in place a joint mechanism with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to work on post-tsunami reconstruction in the northern and eastern districts, parts of which are under control of the LTTE. According to military estimates, the LTTE holds about 130 km of the total 330 km of tsunami-affected coastline in the north-east.

Later this evening, at a function in Kandy to hand over four ambulances as India's gift to the people of Sri Lanka's central plantation districts, Mr. Saran said steps would be taken to expedite the construction of a 150-bed hospital.

The welfare of the plantation workers ``has always remained close to our hearts," Mr. Saran said.

The hospital, to be constructed at Dikoya, is aimed at serving the plantation workers, who are descendents of indentured labourers brought from India during the British rule. India hoped that the gift of the ambulances to the central districts ``will go a long way in providing emergency medical services to needy patients.''

Meets Kadirgamar

After his arrival in the early hours of Saturday, Mr. Saran met the Foreign Affairs Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar, and ``held cordial discussions on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues,'' the Indian High Commission said.

Mr. Monty Gopallawa, Governor of the Central Province, Mr. C. Nanda Mathew, Governor of the Uva Province, and the Chief Minister of the Central Province, Sarath Ekanayake, thanked India for its continued assistance to the central districts.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |