India will continue providing support to Sri lankan Tamils with regard to relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction works in Northern and Eastern Sri lanka. This was assured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a six-member delegation of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) that met him on Saturday. The visit of TNA leaders is part of India’s continuing engagement with the Government and political parties in Sri lanka.
The PM said that India will continue supporting relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction works particularly in projects relating to housing, livelihood generation, capacity building, education, hospitals and infrastructure in Sri lanka’s northern and eastern provinces.The TNA delegation briefed the Prime Minister on the situation in Sri lanka and their assessment and expectations regarding devolution and national reconciliation.
On Friday, during their meeting with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, TNA MPs had complained about the alleged attempts by the lankan Government to change the democratic composition of the northern province. During their meeting with the PM, the delegation made a presentation of their assessment of the situation in lanka and sought India’s ‘pro-active’ indulgence.
Prime Minister stressed the need for a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, dignity, justice and self respect within the framework of a united Sri lanka.In this context, Modi urged all stakeholders in Sri lanka to engage constructively, in a spirit of partnership and mutual accommodation, towards finding a political solution that builds upon the 13th Amendment of the Sri lankan Constitution.
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Nripendra Misra, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh were also present during the meeting.