The Hindu : Front Page : Ready to share experiences, India tells Sri Lanka

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 04, 2006

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Front Page

Ready to share experiences, India tells Sri Lanka

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Saran delivers Manmohan's message to Rajapakse

COLOMBO: Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran on Monday called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse for an interaction on the latest situation in the island nation. He reiterated India's willingness to share its constitutional experience in accommodating the aspirations of various sections of society.

Mr. Saran is here on a two-day visit on an invitation from his counterpart, H.M.G.S. Palhakkara, as part of the periodic high-level consultations between the two countries. Mr. Saran's visit gains significance in view of the mounting international concern at the situation in Sri Lanka and the expectations over India's role.

According to Government officials, Mr. Saran delivered a message from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Mr. Rajapakse. An official from the Indian mission said that in the course of the hour-long meeting, Mr. Saran discussed the status of the peace process and talked about India's readiness to share its experiences.

Bilateral cooperation

Other topics were bilateral cooperation , and the regional and international situation.

Mr. Rajapakse reiterated his Government's commitment to find a solution to the ethnic strife that would address the aspirations of all sections. He also reiterated his Government's commitment to the ceasefire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) despite the outfit's provocations and violations.

Progress on the All-Parties Conference (APC), mooted by Mr. Rajapakse to work on a political solution, also figured in the talks.

Development work

According to the Sri Lankan official, Mr. Saran appreciated the restraint demonstrated by the Government despite provocations from the LTTE, and also the development work by in the north and the east.

Asked if defence cooperation figured at the meeting, an official said all topics were touched upon briefly.

In the afternoon, Mr. Saran exchanged views with Mr. Palhakkara over lunch. The Chief of the Defence Staff, Donald Perera, was present.

Visits tsunami-hit areas

Later in the day, Mr. Saran toured the tsunami-affected areas.

On Tuesday, he is scheduled to call on the Leader of the Opposition, Ranil Wickramasinghe, before leaving the country.

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