The Sri Lanka Government has decided to erect a memorial for the 1200 odd Indian soldiers who died fighting the LTTE terrorists on Sri Lankan soil in 1987-89, according to the Diviana yesterday (Jan. 16). The news story by Kirthi Warnakulasuriya states that President Rajapaksa has approved the project. The paper reported an unnamed senior military officer as saying that the memorial would be completed by Independence Day February 4.
The commanders of the IPKF before the withdrawal of the troops. Lt.General A.S. Kalkat, (second from right) was the overall force commander of the IPKF. Major General R.N.Bhalla (right), Major General Ashok Mehta (second from left), Major General S.C. Sardeshpande.
Although the Indian Government had made requests for such a memorial, previous governments ignored it. This new development may be seen in the light of President Mahinda Rajapakse's announcement that the existing Indo-Lanka Agreement provides the best solution for the national crisis. India, for its part has responded by distancing itself from the Ceasefire Agreement saying that it was never a party to it. These apparently signify a new positive trend in Indo-Lanka ties.
IPKF Troops during the final withdrawal from Sri Lanka
The commanders of the IPKF before the withdrawal of the troops. Lt.General A.S. Kalkat, (second from right) was the overall force commander of the IPKF. Major General R.N.Bhalla (right), Major General Ashok Mehta (second from left), Major General S.C. Sardeshpande.
Although the Indian Government had made requests for such a memorial, previous governments ignored it. This new development may be seen in the light of President Mahinda Rajapakse's announcement that the existing Indo-Lanka Agreement provides the best solution for the national crisis. India, for its part has responded by distancing itself from the Ceasefire Agreement saying that it was never a party to it. These apparently signify a new positive trend in Indo-Lanka ties.
IPKF Troops during the final withdrawal from Sri Lanka
