SL looks at India in a “much bigger way” - Basil

3 October 2012 08:22 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka's powerful Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, also the brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said his country looks at India in a "much bigger way" than China.

On whether Sri Lanka was moving close towards China, he said: "We look at India in a much bigger way."

Speaking about the attacks against Sri Lankan pilgrims in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Rajapaksa said that it "hurt" the feelings of Sri Lankan people because it had happened in India, which is regarded as a "big brother and a country which shows the way" for his nation.

"It hurt our feelings, we cannot hide that because we always think of India as our big brother or who shows us the way and how we should work. India has taught us all good things. We never thought this will happen. But we have no hard feelings towards India or its people," he said.

The minister, who is in-charge of reconstruction of the war-torn Northern Province, also noted that most of the pilgrims who were attacked in Tamil Nadu were of Indian-origin Sri Lankans.

Asked whether such incidents will cast a shadow on Indo-Lanka ties, he replied in the negative and appreciated the Indian government's initiatives to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future. (PTI)

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Comments - 9

Just Another Citizen Wednesday, 03 October 2012 08:42 AM

Brown nosing after the Indian Cricket Team got knocked out of the T20 WC?

lal Wednesday, 03 October 2012 09:05 AM

Basil, your big brother was not pleased with the stab in the back India gave Sri Lanka in March. Be very careful when dealing with Indians, they are not friends of Sri lanka. I'll choose China ahead as a friend and India after Brutus.

Imran Hussein Wednesday, 03 October 2012 09:18 AM

Keeping Son-in-Law happy.

ravi Wednesday, 03 October 2012 09:23 AM

ha ah butter why this UN meeting.

Hoo Jin Tao Wednesday, 03 October 2012 10:17 AM

Watch your mouth. Its not in your interest to run down China after all the support you got!

Kautilya Wednesday, 03 October 2012 10:27 AM

Universal Periodic Review meeting in Geneva is getting nearer and nearer. India is one of the country reviewing the progress of Sri Lanka Human Right situation. There will be more India boosting comments in the future.

Hal Wednesday, 03 October 2012 10:50 AM

We know that India is pretty big. No need to look at it that way. India has always been big and produced one of the greatest leaders, Mahatma Gandhi.

RAJKK Wednesday, 03 October 2012 11:29 AM

US , India , Aus will not be a good partner for you. You are good go with Pak, Iran, Palastain etc.

Saliya De Silva Wednesday, 03 October 2012 11:37 AM

Does the general public of Sri Lanka consider India as it's big brother? NO......

So called big brother was responsible for creating terrorist problem in SL. Over 100,000 civilians and huge number of terrorist also became victims of India's poor strategy.

Skin saving statements are not good for the future of SL.

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SL looks at India in a “much bigger way” - Basil

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