CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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MR raises India’s stance on resolution
Brushing aside opposition from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and other parties in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit but did not give him any assurance on which way India will vote on a UNHRC resolution which calls for an international probe, Indian media reported.
"There was no substantive discussion on the draft resolution. Given that it has important implications for both Sri Lanka and India, it was felt that the two sides should remain in touch on the issue," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters after the talks.
Prime Minister Singh had told President Rajapaksa that his officials had not yet had time to study the resolution against Sri Lanka in Geneva but agreed that both countries would be in touch as India firmed up its position.
“President Rajapaksa, on his part, raised the proposed resolution against Sri Lanka in Geneva which has been co-sponsored by the US, Britain, Montenegro, the Macedonia and Mauritius,” media reports said.
The two leaders also discussed reconciliation between Sri Lanka’s Sinhala and Tamil communities, the problems of fishermen straying across the maritime border and economic cooperation during their 25-minute meeting — their first since 2012.
Sponsored by five nations — Britain, the US, Mauritius, Macedonia, Montenegro — the draft resolution calls for the United Nations Human Rights Commission to continue its investigation on alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lanka’s armed forces. It welcomes progress in reconstruction and recently-held provincial elections, but adds that considerable work lies ahead in justice, reconciliation and demilitarisation.
The full statement issued by Presidential Spokesman and International Media Unit, Sri lanka
President Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Hold Bilateral Discussions President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held bilateral discussions this afternoon on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Myanmar. During the friendly and cordial meeting that took place at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Nay Pyi Taw, the two leaders discussed a number of areas that were of mutual importance to both countries.
President Rajapaksa briefed Prime Minister Singh on the progress of the National Plan of Action (NPoA) for the implementation of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).
The Indian Prime Minister asked about the interaction between the Government and the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) to which President Rajapaksa stated that the Government extends its cooperation to the NPC.
The two heads of state also discussed matters pertaining to the fishermen of both countries. In response to remarks by the Indian delegation, President Rajapaksa stated that it is a problem of considerable magnitude where almost 1,500 Indian fishing boats sail into Sri Lankan waters on a daily basis. He further told the Prime Minister that the use of bottom trawlers lead to a depletion of fishing resources, which ultimately adversely affects the northern fishermen.
The discussions also touched on other areas of mutual interest as well, including further strengthening ties between the two nations. India’s Minister of External Affairs Mr. Salman Khurshid accompanied the Prime Minister at the bilateral discussion. Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Mrs. Kshenuka Seneviratne and Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. H.R. Piyasiri were also present at the bilateral discussions.
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