6:00 AM

Delhi and Colombo

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Indian High Commissioner in Colombo, Alok Prasad called on Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday at the Foreign Ministry. The discussion centered on current issues pertaining to Indo-Lanka bilateral relations in the context of developments in the North and the East of Sri Lanka. Concerns being expressed in this regard in India were conveyed to Minister Bogollagama by the High Commissioner.

In the meantime India’s Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon has summoned Sri Lankan High Commissioner Chrysantha Romesh Jayasinghe to express the government’s concern over the situation on Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee expressed concern over the Tamil civilian casualties during the last two days.

On Thursday, Mukherjee said, “The situation in Sri Lanka is a matter of grave concern to us in India. We are particularly worried about the humanitarian effect of the continuing conflict on civilians who have been caught up in circumstances not of their making. It is essential that their rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks, and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them.” Pranab Mukerjee further said:

"We have consistently made it clear that a return to normalcy cannot be brought about by military means or battle field victories. What is required in Sri Lanka is a peacefully negotiated political settlement which allows each community to realize its own potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

"Government of India will do all in its power to achieve this goal, to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and has been making representations to the Government of Sri Lanka at several levels.

The other issue which is engaging Government’s effort is the harassment and killing of Indian fishermen in neighboring areas which must cease forthwith. Government will be taking steps to ensure this."

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