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We will address India’s concerns: Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Wednesday chose not to comment on the resolution adopted by the all-party meet presided over by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Chennai on Tuesday regarding the situation in Sri Lanka. Colombo said it was an “internal matter” of India.

A senior Foreign Ministry official, however, said the government was “alive to the political sensitivities of various constituencies” in India and had been “engaged on a continuous basis in addressing the legitimate concerns” of New Delhi.

“We view the developments in India in the last 24 hours as an internal affair of the country as there is no fresh official communication from New Delhi. The last communication was the demarche served on our Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi by the Indian National Security Adviser.

“Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad had a few meetings here, including with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, reiterating the Indian concerns articulated in the October 6 demarche. Assurances have been conveyed at the highest level to the Indian envoy that Sri Lanka would take measures to address its legitimate concerns and the government does not believe in a military solution to the ethnic strife,” the official told The Hindu.

The October 6 demarche referred to by the official reads: “The Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner was summoned by the National Security Adviser today to express India’s grave concern and unhappiness at the growing casualties of unarmed Tamil civilians as a result of military action. The escalation of hostilities in the North and the resultant fallout was leading to a great deal of concern in India. It was pointed out that there was need for the Sri Lankan government to act with greater restraint and address the growing feeling of insecurity among the minority community. To stem the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the need to revive the political process was highlighted. It was essential that vital supplies to the affected population were not disrupted in any manner.

“Serious concern was also expressed at the continuing attacks on Indian fishermen, including the recent incident on September 27-28. This was not in keeping with the spirit of the understanding reached between India and Sri Lanka and recently reiterated in meetings held at the highest levels. The Sri Lankan Navy should cease such attacks and not lose sight of the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions of this issue.”

Subsequently, senior adviser to President, Basil Rajapaksa, said on record that the government would take “some measures” to address New Delhi’s concerns over humanitarian issues triggered by the ongoing war. He said Mr. Rajapaksa met India’s High Commissioner in Colombo on October 7 and exchanged views on India’s concerns about the military offensive in Wanni. “If there are a few things that need to be actually done, we will take necessary action to address the justifiable concerns of the Indian government,” he said.

He said the government had gained wide experience in avoiding civilian casualties during the Eastern Province’s liberation. Also, humanitarian issues related to the internally displaced in the north had been addressed. The main concern of India is about the civilians in the north and the problems faced by its fisherfolk, he said, adding: “We have already taken serious note of addressing these issues and if there are some shortcomings we will address them soon.”

In its interim report submitted early in January this year, the All-Party Representative Conference (APRC) had recommended steps for full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution made following the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987, holding elections to the Eastern Provincial Council and an interim political set-up in the north as a prelude to holding elections to the Northern Provincial Council.

“However difficult it may be, it is my belief that the efforts to find political solutions to political issues should be continued. It is my belief that there are no military solutions to political questions. The people have elected us to realise their aims and aspirations. It is our duty to ensure to the Tamil people of the North the same democratic rights as enjoyed by the people in all other parts of the country. Military operations have become necessary to eradicate terrorism from the country and enthrone democracy throughout the land,” Mr. Rajapaksa told the APRC members.

He urged the APRC to discuss ways to stabilise the political process and deliberate upon measures necessary to achieve peace.

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