Solution to grievances of those in North and East assured:

TNA’s recalcitrance, a setback

by P. Krishnaswamy

President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured the multi-party Indian Parliamentary delegation at a meeting yesterday morning at Temple Trees that a solution to the grievances of people in the North and the East would certainly be offered.

However, the TNA’s refusal to take part in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSA) talks was delaying the process, leader of the delegation and Indian Lok Sabha Opposition leader Shushma Swaraj told a media briefing in Colombo.

Their 12-member delegation which had earlier met the TNA had persuaded them to take part in the PSA talks, she said. At their meeting its leader R.Sampanthan told the delegation that he was proud to be a Sri Lankan, honoured her sovereignty and sought a solution within a unitary and undivided Sri Lanka, she said.

Explaining as to why India voted for the US-sponsored resolution at the Geneva UNHRC sessions last month, Ms Swaraj said that the LLRC is Sri Lanka’s own report and voting for a resolution insisting on its implementation cannot be considered as speaking against Sri Lanka. Although there may be differences occasionally, India and Sri Lanka are bound by historical, geographical and cultural ties.

The partnership of the two countries must progress in the spirit of being the closest of neighbours and friends whose destinies are intertwined, she said.

The fishermen’s issue was emotive and must be handled with care by both sides, Ms Swaraj said. The Joint Working Group on Fisheries which met in January this year looked at various options to address this issue in a larger framework, she said.

During their visit to the Northern province the delegation observed that roads and infrastructure are being built and water supply and other livelihood facilities are being provided, she said.

Five of her 12-member delegation represented Tamil Nadu , although the Tamil Nadu ruling AIADMK, which had requested for the delegation, and the opposition DMK did not join the delegation for reasons best known to them.

A member of the delegation, N.S.V. Chittan, Indian National Congress (INC) Lok Sabha Member representing Tamil Nadu told the Sunday Observer that they were convinced that much headway has been made with regard to resettlement, rehabilitation and provision of infrastructure and livelihood facilities in the Northern province.

He visited the Northern province with an Indian delegation some months ago and had observed positive changes with regard to the Tamil people.