Basil briefs Indian leaders on Lankan situation [September 26 2008]

Senior Presidential advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa told the Indian leaders that Sri Lanka would always protect the rights of all ethnic groups in the country, including the Tamils. He gave this assurance when he met the Indian leaders today. During the discussions today, India conveyed its concerns at the humanitarian situation in the north, especially of the civilians and the internally displaced caught in the hostilities and emphasized the need for unhindered essential relief supplies.

Rajapaksa briefed the Indian authorities of the Government's efforts to address the relief and welfare of the civil population in the north. He also assured that the safety and well being of the Tamils in Sri Lanka is being taken care of.

As a gesture of goodwill India has agreed to send some 800 tones of relief materials to Sri Lanka for the affected civilians in the north. The Sri Lankan government will facilitate its delivery. Both countries discussed the need to move towards a peacefully negotiated political settlement in the island including the north while agreeing that terrorism should be countered with resolve.

Keeping in mind the humanitarian and livelihood dimensions of the fishermen issue, India and Sri Lanka have agreed to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bona fide Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). As part of these practical arrangements, following the designation by the Government of Sri Lanka of sensitive areas along the Sri Lankan coastline and their intimation to the Government of India, Indian fishing vessels will not venture into these identified sensitive areas.