Rajapaksa promises speedy rehabilitation of displaced Tamils

Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa today assured India that he was determined to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities along with speedy rehabilitation of displaced Tamils, as the two countries inked seven pacts ranging from security to development.

During wide-ranging talks here, Rajapaksa briefed prime minister Manmohan Singh about his government's efforts to resettle nearly three lakh Tamils displaced due to the war with LTTE.

"In particular, the prime minister emphasised the need for urgent steps to resettle the remaining IDPs (internally displaced persons) and urged Sri Lanka to undertake speedy rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka," foreign secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here.

Rajapaksa reiterated "his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities that wouldact as a catalyst to create the necessary conditions in which all the people of Sri Lanka could lead their lives in an atmosphere of peace, justice and dignity, consistent with democracy, pluralism, equal opportunity and respect for human rights," a joint declaration, issued after the meeting, said.

Congratulating Rajapaksa on his recent electoral victories, Singh also conveyed that the recent elections, together with the cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka in May 2009, provided a historic opportunity for the country's leaders to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation and to work towards genuine national reconciliation.

The prime minister emphasised that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would  create the necessary conditions for a lasting political settlement.

Singh was apprised of the measures taken by the Sri Lankan government to bring about a rapid and sustainable resettlement of the bulk of the IDPs and it was stated that the process of resettling the limited number still remaining in the transit facilities would be further expedited. 

Both leaders agreed to work closely towards this end, the declaration said. 

In this context, India’s assistance to rebuild infrastructure, including railway infrastructure, set up several Vocational Training Centres, repair and construct schools, houses, stadium and recreational facilities, supply much-needed inputs for agricultural regeneration and undertake several other projects was greatly appreciated.

Both Singh and the Sri Lankan president also announced a major initiative to undertake a programme of construction of 50,000 houses for internally displaced persons in Northern and
Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka which will be carried out with
Indian assistance.

Singh and Rajapaksa reiterated their mutual commitment to substantially enhance the range and depth of the bilateral ties including through greater economic integration, enhancing connectivity and closer developmental cooperation, the declaration said.

In this context, they agreed to revive the Joint Commission mechanism and hold the next meeting of the Joint Commission, co-chaired by the two ministers of external affairs, in the second half of 2010 in order to devise a fuller agenda of bilateral cooperation in various fields. 

Agreeing to promote dialogue on security and defence issues of bilateral relevance, and enhance high-level military exchanges and training of military personnel, the two leaders agreed to institute an annual defence dialogue between the two governments.

They also agreed to launch a CEOs Forum to involve the public and private sectors in a dialogue to generate ideas to deepen and broaden the bilateral economic relationship in all its aspects and to help chart the future course of business and trade interaction between the two countries. 

After the meeting, seven pacts were signed to boost bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, including security, power, railways and cultural exchange. 

Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and also agreed to strengthen the security and
legal framework of their bilateral relationship and inked two
MoUs in this area -- transfer of sentenced persons and mutual
legal assistance in criminal matters.

An MoU on interconnecting electricity grids of the two countries could mean supply of 1,000 MW of power that will go a long way in improving the situation in Sri Lanka which continues to suffer due to war-ravaged electricity infrastructure.

A pact on laying Talaimannar-Madhu rail link was also signed. Increased development cooperation was reflected across
other pacts that included an MoU on special projects and
setting up of a women's trade facilitation and community
learning centre by SEWA, an Ahmadabad-based NGO.

Recognising the need to speedily restore the traditional links between the two countries, both leaders agreed to resume
the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between
Talaimannar and Rameswaram.

According to the declaration, Rajapaksa proposed discussions on the matter of establishing a joint information mechanism on the possibility of oil and gas fields straddling the India Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary, receiving an assurance from Singh that this proposal would receive his government's attention.

The two sides also agreed that current global challenges require the reinvigoration of multilateralism, including through the strengthening of the UN system. 

In this context, Sri Lanka reiterated its position that the UN Security Council reform process should facilitate India's legitimate claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

He reaffirmed Sri Lanka's support for the candidature of India as a permanent member of an expanded Security Council.

Colombo's support for India's candidature for a non- permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-12 was also reiterated.

Recognising that the shared cultural and civilisational links provided the bedrock of bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed that the 2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Buddha (Sambuddhatva Jayanthi) will be commemorated through joint activities. 

They noted with appreciation that an International Buddhist Conference will be organized in Kandy later this year with the support of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations. 

Both leaders also welcomed the proposal for the restoration of Tiruketheeswaram temple at Mannar to be undertaken.