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Ensure safety of Tamils at all costs: Manmohan

Sandeep Dikshit

Can’t pass on terrorism eradication to next generation: Rajapaksa

— PHOTO: AFP

DISCUSSING TAMILS ISSUE: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC summit in New Delhi on Thursday.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday urged Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to “ensure at all costs” the safety and welfare of Tamils. Conveying the entire content of the resolution passed on Wednesday by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on the situation in northern Sri Lanka, Dr. Singh emphasised the need for a negotiated settlement to the conflict within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

Joint statement

The Prime Minister also mentioned the need to adhere to the joint statement on fishing arrangements agreed upon by both sides during the recent visit of Sri Lankan President’s special envoy, Basil Rajapaksa, to ensure that no Indian fisherman was killed.

Mr. Rajapaksa gave an assurance that his Navy was exercising the utmost restraint and that Sri Lanka was committed to the joint statement.

The Prime Minister referred to the Tamil Nadu government’s gesture of sending 2,000 tonnes of food and other materials for distribution to the internally displaced persons (IDP) in northern Sri Lanka. The consignment is being transported by the government of India.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was present, also stressed the need for a negotiated settlement and desired regular supply of food and other items to civilians and IDPs affected by the conflict. He emphasised the need for further devolution of power to the provinces and full implementation of the 13th Amendment.

Mr. Rajapaksa said he was committed to a negotiated settlement and urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down arms before talks could be held. He assured the Prime Minister that all efforts were being made to ensure the safety of civilians and IDPs, and food supply to the affected Tamil population was continuing uninterrupted. Mr. Rajapaksa acknowledged India’s concern for the well-being of Tamil civilians caught in the battle between the armed forces and the LTTE, but said Colombo wanted to finish off the militant outfit before initiating political talks.

“We must eradicate terrorism first. We can’t pass this on to the next generation,” Mr. Rajapaksa said. At the same time, “We assure you. We assured the Prime Minister [Dr. Singh] and the entire world that we will look after the Tamils. Nothing will happen to them. We are looking after our people. It is my duty,” Mr. Rajapaksa told journalists after the meeting with Dr. Singh.

Asked about the plans on devolution of power, Mr. Rajapaksa referred to the eastern province where he claimed development work was in full swing. “Go to the eastern province and see the development. There are no child soldiers. Meet Karuna [breakaway LTTE leader] and find out.”

Corrections and Clarifications

The caption of the accompanying AFP photograph in the lead story "Ensure safety of Tamils at all costs: Manmohan [urges Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa]" (November 14, 2008, page 1) did not have the expansion of "BIMSTEC". It is the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation. On June 6, 1997, a new sub-regional grouping was formed in Bangkok and given the name BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation). Myanmar joined the organisation as a full member on December 22, 1997, upon which the name was changed to BIMST-EC. Full membership has been granted to Nepal and Bhutan in 2003. In the first Summit on July 31, 2004, leaders of the group agreed that the name of the grouping should be BIMSTEC.

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