There can be no military solution to Lanka's problems: Pranab

NEW DELHI: As the Sri Lankan government scrapped five-year-old ceasefire with LTTE, India on Friday said there could be no military solution to the island nation's problems which have to be addressed by fulfilling the 'legitimate aspirations' of ethnic groups.
    
External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said India was encouraging the Sri Lankan government to resolve the problem through dialogue and implementation of a devolution formula.
    
"Military solution is not the solution. Solution has to be found through dialogue and discussion," he said here, two days after the Lankan government decided to end the ceasefire agreement with the LTTE.
    
He said India was 'encouraging' the Sri Lankan government towards resolving the matter through dialogue.
    
At the same time, he said, India condemned terrorism, for which it has a policy of 'zero tolerance'.
    
Noting that India was 'equally aware' of legitimate aspirations of various ethnic groups, including Tamils, living in Sri Lanka, Mukherjee said their 'legitimate aspirations' should be fulfilled within the 'arrangements in Sri Lanka within its territorial integrity and framework of Sri Lankan constitution'.
    
The minister said 'some steps', including evolving a devolution formula, have been taken towards fulfilment of the aspirations of various ethnic groups.
    
He pointed out that a committee appointed by President Mahinda Rajapakse on devolution was going to submit its report shortly. "We want those steps should be taken to logical conclusion."