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India keen on resolving national question through dialogue

10 Oct 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai who met President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stressed the need to work out a political solution in a timely and progressive manner through dialogue with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the proposed parliamentary select committee, informed sources said today.

Mr. Mathai who arrived in the country on Saturday wrapped up his visit today after meetings with the President, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Mr. Mathai said India was keen that the dialogue between the government and the TNA continued in the pursuit of a political solution. On Sunday, he visited various Indian-funded development projects, monitored the progress on the Kankesanthurai Harbour, the northern railway tracks and the housing project.

Mr. Mathai, told Indian journalists based in Colombo that though the progress on the harbour and railway projects was satisfactory, the work on the housing project was proceeding at snail’s pace and emphasised the need to speed up the work. During his visit to the north, he met some of the beneficiaries of the housing project at Palai in Jaffna where 50 houses were ready for occupation.

He said in addition to these 50 houses, 600 housing units were in different stages of construction. The 200 housing units to be built in the Vavuniya district were awaiting buildable land. Altogether, India has pledged to construct 50,000 houses in the north for the use of the war-affected people.

When asked about the fishermen’s issue, Mr. Mathai said it should be resolved through engagement between the representatives of the fisheries associations of both the countries since it was a livelihood issue. However, he stressed the need for a peaceful atmosphere in the fishing areas. (Kelum Bandara)

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India keen on resolving national question through dialogue

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