MR, Manmohan talks in Bhutan

25 April 2010 06:16 am

By Jamila Najmuddin

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Sing during the sidelines of the SAARC summit in Bhutan this week, Sri Lanka's new External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Pieris told journalists in Colombo this morning.

While not wanting to speculate on what the topics will be during the discussion, Minister Pieris said that President Rajapaksa will explain to India the measures taken by the Sri Lankan government to improve the conditions in Sri Lanka following the end of the war.

Professor Pieris, while noting that India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour and friend, added that President Rajapaksa will also give a close ear to any concerns that the Indian Premier may have on Sri Lanka.

The new Minister also said that with the improving security situation in the country, the government will gradually relax some of the security related measures taken during the war in order to ensure there is a balance between security and freedom.

"These changes will not be because of external pressure," the Minister emphasised.

He also noted that Sri Lanka can be an example for SAARC taking into consideration the tactics it adopted to defeat terrorism and the fact that the UPFA government has been given a clear mandate by the people through the Presidential and General elections to rebuild the country. (Daily Mirror online)