Indian MPs hold talks on political solution

17 April 2012 11:00 am

The visiting Indian parliamentary delegation led by opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj held discussions with the Sri Lankan government on the Parliamentary Select Committee and a political solution to the national question.

During today’s discussions between the visiting delegation and External Affairs Minister G.L. Peries, nothing was mentioned on the Indian vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“We briefed the delegation on the implementation of the LLRC recommendations and the priorities of the government. We also explained to them the specific agencies that would be involved in the implementation process. They asked questions, which demonstrated a genuine will to help with the process,” he told the Daily Mirror.

The minister said though specific discussions on the 13th Amendment had not taken place it was included in the agenda on establishing the PSC and the necessary constitutional amendments for a political solution. He said there was no pressure exerted by the delegation and the meeting was an opportunity to be briefed by the Sri Lankan government on the reconciliation process.

The delegation was also briefed by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa on the development work in the North and thereafter they met House Leader Nimal Siripala De Silva and other members of the government.

During the meeting Minister Rajapaksa, the visiting delegation suggested sufficient publicity and public awareness should be created in Tamil Nadu in order to make them aware the real situation of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka. They further suggested that suspicion between two communities should be eliminated for long lasting peace.

The 13-member delegation visited the Parliament at Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte.