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Ranil, India hold talks

11 May 2010 05:49 pm - 39     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Srilanka’s leader of opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe met External Affairs Minister S M Krishna in New Delhi today. The two leaders discussed several bilateral issues, including the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Wickramasinghe, who is the leader of the United National Party, arrived in India on Monday on a four-day visit to India. India had earlier offered Sri Lanka 100 million dollars to help war refugees return home and rebuild the country’s ravaged north, as New Delhi is keen to be engaged in the island nation’s post-war reconstruction and retain influence.

Some 260,000 Tamil refugees who fled fighting in the waning months of the war are now being held in military-run camps in Sri Lanka.

Western countries, India and the United Nations are pressing the Srilanka government to send them home. (ANI)
 


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  Comments - 39

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  • Wednesday, 12 May 2010 07:36 AM

    I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. I. Hussein about Ranil. Although Sri Lankans are well known for having the highest literacy rate in Asia, there is a difference because literacy means the ability to read but the ability to understand what you read is an entirely different issue. Only educated people will appreciate a leader like Ranil who is well recognized all over the world

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:35 AM

    When MR speaks he only appeals to the majority rural folk. When leaders like Ranil speak, they are well respected by the educated and international leaders. There are very few in the govt who could earn the respect from the international community - GLP, Mahinda Samarasinghe Sarath Amunugama Tissa Vitharana. The rest play to the gallery! Of course no one could match people of the calibre of JRJ, Lakshman Kadir.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:45 AM

    Why is India talking to Ranil ? Simple; because they realize there is little or no point in talking to the SL government. Even being in the opposition there's so much that Ranil can do and has done for the country. One little instance; was it not on Ranil's initiative that the fires were extinguished after the oil storage facilities were bombed by the LTTE in 1996? The foam that put out the fires were sent down from India on a call from Ranil while the incumbent president looked aside.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:48 AM

    Try to look at the issue without coloured glasses. RW has a good methodology to develop the country. He knows how to get the international support. That is his expertise.
    His weakness is that he doesn't know how to address the masses, so he cannot win the hearts of people.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 05:11 AM

    Ranil is now a fire fighter as well ? Labby, read my comments above. Ranil as the opposition leader should focus on his job. That is to question the government. Leave the fire fighting and the 'bilateral issues' to those who are experts in that. This is where leadership is lacking. To me, he is a jack of all trades master of none.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 05:39 AM

    Join with Gov as Foreign Minister better than GL Peris he will do the right job, step down from UNP leadership...

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 05:44 AM

    So basically Ranil shouldnt do anything for some people. I have no idea why people hate a good leader who has qualities and moral value and respect. If he goes to India he is betraying if MR does, its fine. If Ranil goes to USA he is betraying and a capitalist. If MR does its fine (Gota lived there for years and for u he is a big patriotic). Guys its simple, we luv Ranil because he is straight forward, tough (some, dont understand though) smart, educated and respected by all educated/decent people in this copuntry (maybe not u ingnaront blind MR supporters) He is a diplomat accepted by western and eastern worl alike.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 06:03 AM

    Yes, best thing is RW to cross over to the govt and MR to appoint him as the PM so that many problems in UNP, Govt, intl relations will improve and the country will develop. What do u say?

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 06:11 AM

    This is because the International Community knows that the RW will play according to their tune.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 06:58 AM

    Sir,

    Firstly, try to sort out the issues in your party.

    Please dont mix up the priorities !!!

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:32 AM

    On the other hand why is India discussing 'bilateral issues' with Ranil? Arent they supposed to talk 'bilateral issues' with the elected government? This is all a bit of a joke. However the joke is on Ranil in my opinion as he's trying to act as if he is the leader of the country when clearly he lost. Considering all the negativity towards him from his own ranks he seems to be loosing his mind. Dont get me wrong, I am not supporting the government either but wanting a strong opposition who knows what their job.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 08:31 AM

    You must be dreaming. When did LTTE dropped the demand for a separate country?

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 09:22 AM

    Read couple of news papers during CFA period..

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 09:37 AM

    Many lankans think that the war with the LTTE can be won only militarily. This is shortsighted. Having knocked out the LTTE, we still have to find a political solution for the Tamils and other minorities. OR some might say "let them go to hell"

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 09:42 AM

    "He knows how to get international support" ???? Can you support this with facts?

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 09:44 AM

    This should happen very fast as this seems to be spreading into Sri Lankan cricket as well.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 10:00 AM

    We need someone like RW as a Leader pl come out of Sri Lanka and see where we are now

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 11:07 AM

    Can you advice on the supports received by so called RWs international friends. It is normal that government of other countries to have talk with government and opposition members of other countries. This is also one such incident. RWs leadeship capabilities can be very well seen with the state of UNP now.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 11:07 AM

    Very true

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:38 PM

    RW is running to India, since no one listens to him in SL.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 02:35 AM

    You may even bet your last penny. But remember all the countries, our SA neibours, Asian western world recognize him for his contribution towards the country in many a field.
    Also remember he is the Leader of Opposition irrespective of his position in the UNP.

    Tuesday, 11 May 2010 07:10 PM

    RW has credibility, among the international community. He is accepted everywhere, except in Sri Lanka.

    Tuesday, 11 May 2010 08:47 PM

    I will bet my last rupee, that this 'great betrayer' must have 'stabbed' Mahinda and the country 'in the back,' during these so-called talks.

    Tuesday, 11 May 2010 09:11 PM

    Mr. RW, don't you think it is time to vacate the post and give it to someone capable?

    Tuesday, 11 May 2010 09:27 PM

    This is the PERFECT job for him - to go around the world meeting world leaders. However, NOT as the UNP's leader!

    Tuesday, 11 May 2010 09:49 PM

    RW, are you "back-stabbing" Sri Lanka again?

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 01:02 AM

    Why would anyone want to talk to Ranil?

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 01:35 AM

    What is he doing there any way? Was he planning to step down from his post??

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 01:41 AM

    Why not ask for political asylum and stay in India? You'll be doing the UNP and Sri Lanka a great service!

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 02:05 AM

    You know why - Because RW is the one who has the most and the best International relationships like no other leader.

    Tuesday, 11 May 2010 06:51 PM

    RW wants India to prop him up as the UNP's Leader. He is a nobody - why is he talking to India? More importantly, why is India talking to RW?

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 02:46 AM

    Ranil is a good spokesman to get international trade and investment to Sri Lanka; Mahinda is a good spokesman to keep the spirits high of the majority Sri Lankans. Imagine, if both get together and work -- Sri Lanka will truely be the miracle of South Asia. Imagine if they can both agree to groom the next generation of leaders in our country. Imagine....

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 02:50 AM

    This is the only job he is good at, betraying his own country.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 03:34 AM

    India wants MR or Ranil to be in power, they dont like any other new faces because they have invested money
    for both of them.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 03:38 AM

    People in Sri Lanka needs a person acceptable to them and not to the outside world. RW is failure in winning the heart of people of Sri Lanka and now by his own party supporters.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 03:47 AM

    RW is a well reputed leader and he does everything for the equal betterment of all the ethnic communities of the country. Unless you are an extremist, you will never criticize him. If you want to point out LTTE, UNP, CFA signed during 2003/04, remember it is a positive bloodless approach to solve the problem in a strategic way. As a result of this, LTTE agreed to degrade its demand of a separate land to the federalism. Also Karuna was broken from LTTE. All this was happened with just a slight parliamentary majority without executive powers.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:19 AM

    Ranil's job as the opposition leader is to question the government and bring a balance. If the people feel the need to change the government, they could then do so. His primary aim is to win power back by doing this. eg; Barak Obama of the USA, David Cameron of UK, Kevin Rudd of Australia. Did you see any of the above go around other contries and discuss 'bilateral issues' while in the opposition? That is the job of the elected government of the time. What is the need of a diplomatic core at a vast expense? We could just send Ranil for all things overseas.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:24 AM

    Sri Lankan government could handle those bilateral issues. No need RW to jump-in.
    This is going to be another comedy of Ranil just to avoid pressure from his party.

    Wednesday, 12 May 2010 04:30 AM

    A general election has just been concluded and the UNP led by Ranil has been soundly defeated. So why is Ranil discussing Sri Lankan affairs with India? Should not this be done by the Government in power? Why is India tolerating this? What is India's game plan?


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