India seeks political solution to Tamil question
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, May 21, IRNA -- India has sought a political solution to the Tamil question while offering help in the reconstruction effort following elimination of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's special envoys M K Narayanan and Shivshankar Menon met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo and conveyed this message, All India Radio (AIR) reported.
The duo had a close door breakfast meeting at President's Temple Trees residence.
Details of the meeting were not announced, but it is understood that they discussed post-conflict reconstruction in Sri Lanka following the defeat of the LTTE.
India has prepared a 500 crore rupees rehabilitation package for the displaced people in Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister has already announced a 100-crore rupees relief package for Lankan Tamils in addition to the 25 crore rupees aid given by Tamil Nadu government.
India has been asking Sri Lanka to take political steps to ensure "effective devolution of power" so that Tamils in the island nation could live with dignity.
The National Security Advisor, M.K. Narayanan arrived in Colombo Wednesday to hold discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities in the aftermath of offensive against LTTE in North of the island nation. He is accompanied by Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon.
“Even as Sri Lanka is celebrating victory as its armed forces occupy the Tamil Tigers' last refuge near the Mullaithivu lagoon, India’s Foreign Secretary, Mr. Shivshankar Menon and National Security Advisor, Mr. M K Narayanan are visiting the island nation for a day to discuss India’s interest in the resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts and be an active participant in Sri Lankan government’s humanitarian efforts for the displaced.
Meanwhile, In the ongoing search operations, Sri Lankan forces have identified seven more bodies of top LTTE leaders These include a leader of the Sea Tigers, two senior intelligence leaders, a senior female intelligence leader, political head of Batticaloa, a senior Sea Tiger leader, a senior intelligence leader.
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