'Expedite settlement of Tamils'

India inks seven pacts on bilateral security with the island nation

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also urged visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to speed up implementation of the 13th amendment of the island nation’s constitution to ensure a lasting political settlement of the Sinhalese-Tamil conflict.

Rajapakse reiterated “his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities that would act 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.”

He later told a delegation of Congress and DMK MPs from Tamil Nadu that the remaining 54,000 displaced Tamils would be resettled within three months.

Concerned over the growing Chinese investment in Sri Lanka, New Delhi not only showered sops on Lanka, but also announced its decision to set up a consulate in Hambantota.

Hambantota is a town on the southeastern coast of Sri Lanka. Once a small fishing harbour, Hambantota is now being turned into a major port and Colombo had an agreement with Beijing for Chinese companies’ involvement in developing facilities in the port.

Chinese presence in SL
Hambantota Port, like Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Sittwe Port in Myanmar, is perceived as a strategic asset of China and Chinese presence here has since long been a cause of concern for India.

Sources said that Singh had raised the issue of Chinese presence in Sri Lanka during his talks with Rajapakse on Wednesday. The Sri Lankan President is understood to have tried to allay concerns of India, describing as untrue the media reports about Chinese workers overstaying in Hambantota and other places in the island nation.

Highly-placed officials in the government said New Delhi stressed on the unique, historic and special relationship between India and Sri Lanka and also emphasised on the need for the neighbours to be sensitive to the genuine concerns of each others. 

With China’s aid to Sri Lanka since 2006 crossing $ 3000 million; India too on Wednesday announced a slew of sops for its southern neighbour in areas ranging from railways, energy and infrastructure development. India will also set up a consulate in Jaffna in North Sri Lanka.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said India would take up several projects for reconstruction of the North and the East, including rebuilding of railway infrastructure, rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai Harbour and Palaly Airport, construction of a cultural centre in Jaffna and several vocational training centres, renovation of the Duraiappah Stadium and rehabilitation of war widows.