Leader of the Indian delegation Sushma Swaraj calls on President Rajapaksa
Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma
Pix by Sudath Silva
The visiting Indian parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka headed by the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House (Janadhipathi Mandiraya) in Colombo this morning on Friday 20 April.
The Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP) leader and the President discussed the devolution of powers to the Northern and Eastern provinces and Mrs. Swaraj also conveyed the concerns of the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) over a political solution to the current issue.
First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha and Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of Mrs. Swaraj also participated in the occasion.
The Indian delegation arrived the country to further strengthen mutual cooperation between Sri Lanka and India. In addition to that the visit aimed at finding out the prevailing situation in the island especially in north and east where large number of Tamil people affected due to the terrorism. They engaged in an observation visit to war tone areas in Mullativu, Vavuniya, Jaffna districts and also Nuwara Eliya. The visiting Indian delegation met government officials, local politicians, community leaders, general public in those areas and also talked to IDPs and recently resettled people and donated aid for them. They consulted the war affected people by themselves and obtained their independent views without any mediation on the part of the government.
The Indian parliamentary team is highly impressed with the rehabilitation, reconstruction, reconciliation, de-mining and development work carried out by the government in the North and East, within a very short period of time, after the completion of the humanitarian operation with lots of difficulties and lack of resources.
However the delegation has reaffirmed India’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for progress in the dialogue for a political settlement to find a lasting solution only within a united Sri Lanka. The visit has immensely helped to correct the wrong picture that led to adverse Tamil Nadu opinion on the North and East which had an impact on the Geneva resolution.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan officials said the government wishes to thank the Indian delegation for visiting Sri Lanka, and seeing the real situation for themselves rather believe pro Tamil Tiger propaganda in Tamil Nadu.
The delegation also met opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and UNP top hierarchy and held talks. Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe said all should unite to find a lasting solution for the national problem.
The Indian delegation is scheduled to leave the country tomorrow.
Pictures are seen here leader of the Opposition in Indian Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, being warmly received by President Rajapaksa.
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I just wonder why the SL government take these Indian deligates and show the conditions Singhalese people live in areas adjacent to the so called ‘Eelam land’. They can see for themselves the truth about VAST DIFFERENCE in living conditions and opportunities available (according to the racist politicians in TN) between/to Tamils and Singhalese in these areas.
It is unfortunate the Buddhist population in Dambulla chose to protest against the illegally constructed Muslim Mosque when the Indian delegation is in the island.
The “Tamil terror- Tamil Diaspora – LTT rump -TNA – GTF” activists financed this incident in collaboration with Kumar Gunaratnam’s FSP and triggered the protest with micro-precision.
The Dambulla Divisional Secretary M/s Lakshmi Hevapathirana who represents the provincila Administration of Rajapaksa Mahind’s Government, had later arrived at the location and had confirmed the mosque was an illegal construction while assuring that its removal would commence on Monday (April 23).
As Sinhala people, we should be eternally vigilant against provocations of this nature which tarnish the image of our nation.
It is now up to leaders like Mr Rajapaksa Goatabhaya to give face to threats and ensure calmness prevails especially when suspicious characters from abroad are around.