Sri Lanka has assured India that its Army will make sure there are no civilian casualties in the ongoing war against the Tamil Tigers, or LTTE rebels. During talks with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi, a top visiting Sri Lankan official said that his government will keep the interests of Tamil civilians in mind while carrying on with the offensive against the LTTE.
Basil Rajapaksa, special adviser of the Sri Lankan President, further said that Indian medical teams will be allowed inside Sri Lanka to provide aid to the affected Tamil population in the war-torn areas.
Reports said the Sri Lankan official will hold another round of talks later in the day after which a joint statement is likely to be issued.
Meanwhile, Mukherjee is traveling to Chennai later in the day where he will brief Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on his talks with Rajapaksa.
The developments come amid mounting pressure on the Central government from several Tamil parties to act and ensure the well-being of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka, where the island nation’s Army is in the midst of a major offensive to wipe out LTTE.
The government is particularly facing intense pressure from its key constituent DMK to press Sri Lanka to end the conflict. As part of the pressure tactics, all DMK MPs, including Central ministers, recently submitted their resignation to party chief Karunanidhi to protest against the war.
During his day-long visit, Basil – who is carrying a message from President Mahinda Rajapaksa – is expected to meet National Security Adviser M K Narayanan. He held talks with Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in the morning.
The Sri Lankan President, during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last Saturday, assured him that "all necessary measures" are being taken to ensure safety and well-being of the Tamil community in the island nation.
Fearing that civilian Tamils in Sri Lanka may become victims of circumstances, the Indian side is keen to know what steps the Rajapaksa government is taking and planning to take to ensure their safety amidst raging conflict between the military and LTTE in north of the island nation.
The PM has already told the Sri Lankan President to ensure that the rights of civilian Tamils are not compromised and they do not get "enmeshed" in the conflict.
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Basil Rajapaksa, special adviser of the Sri Lankan President, further said that Indian medical teams will be allowed inside Sri Lanka to provide aid to the affected Tamil population in the war-torn areas.
Reports said the Sri Lankan official will hold another round of talks later in the day after which a joint statement is likely to be issued.
Meanwhile, Mukherjee is traveling to Chennai later in the day where he will brief Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on his talks with Rajapaksa.
The developments come amid mounting pressure on the Central government from several Tamil parties to act and ensure the well-being of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka, where the island nation’s Army is in the midst of a major offensive to wipe out LTTE.
The government is particularly facing intense pressure from its key constituent DMK to press Sri Lanka to end the conflict. As part of the pressure tactics, all DMK MPs, including Central ministers, recently submitted their resignation to party chief Karunanidhi to protest against the war.
During his day-long visit, Basil – who is carrying a message from President Mahinda Rajapaksa – is expected to meet National Security Adviser M K Narayanan. He held talks with Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in the morning.
The Sri Lankan President, during a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last Saturday, assured him that "all necessary measures" are being taken to ensure safety and well-being of the Tamil community in the island nation.
Fearing that civilian Tamils in Sri Lanka may become victims of circumstances, the Indian side is keen to know what steps the Rajapaksa government is taking and planning to take to ensure their safety amidst raging conflict between the military and LTTE in north of the island nation.
The PM has already told the Sri Lankan President to ensure that the rights of civilian Tamils are not compromised and they do not get "enmeshed" in the conflict.
zee
