International - India & World   

Soz calls on Rajapaksa

B. Muralidhar Reddy

He exchanges views on current situation in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz called on Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the temporary Presidential Palace and exchanged views on the current situation in the island nation and issues of interest between India and Sri Lanka.

An official statement said that in the course of the half an hour meeting, Mr. Soz referred to Mr. Rajapaksa "as a people's man" and lauded his initiative to evolve a national consensus on the peace process.

Mr. Soz reiterated India's commitment to a united Sri Lanka and for a peaceful negotiated settlement, which addressed the "genuine aspirations of all sections of Sri Lankan society."

The statement said Mr. Soz highlighted the historical friendly relations between Sri Lanka and India, and emphasised the importance of linkages between institutions of the two nations, especially in rainwater harvesting, environment, information technology and grassroots democracy.

It said he also briefed the President on the outcome of the International Conference on Rainwater Harvesting held in Kandy over September 27-28 and emphasised the importance of rainwater harvesting for sustainable development.

Mr. Soz interacted with leaders of the Sri Lankan Muslim at an Ifthar dinner hosted by the Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao.

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

Stories in this Section

Dhanapala may opt out
Iran rejects terms for nuclear talks
U.N. envoy for tsunami recovery seeks revival of talks in Sri Lanka
E.U. expansion to take a pause
Musharraf, Karzai exchanged hot words?
U.K. military brass for Iraq pullout
A Robert Frost poem rediscovered
Now, Bluetooth watches to display caller identity
S. Korea's candidate leads straw poll for U.N. post
Georgia trying to provoke conflict, says Russia
War of the First Ladies
Meet on Tibetan culture
Priests steal millions
Soz calls on Rajapaksa

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu