Peace process: India to help find a way forward - Indian Foreign Secretary

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: Indian Foreign Secretary Shayam Saran conveyed India's desire to assist the Government in finding a way forward in the peace process when he met the President at Temple Trees yesterday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Himali Arunatilleke said.

The visiting envoy who arrived here, early Monday morning, as a special representative of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh discussed wide ranging bilateral and regional issues while focusing on the Peace Process.

"He conveyed a message from the Indian Premier to the President reiterating India's continued support to the Sri Lankan Government's efforts to find a democratic solution to the ethnic issue," Arunatilleke said.

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission spokesperson said the visit was part of a regular high level exchange of views agreed upon by the Indian Premier and the President. Saran reiterated India was ready to share its Constitutional experience with Sri Lanka in its bid to evolve a political consensus as a solution to the ethnic issue.

His message underscored that India would be supporting a solution that would fulfil the aspirations of all communities while protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

The Sri Lankan side has emphasised that the Government remained committed to the ceasefire despite grave provocations by the LTTE, reaffirming its commitment to a negotiated political solution based on democracy and human rights.

The President said the Government will continue to take measures to protect the security of people and country.

The leaders also discussed the developments at the All Party Conference and the setting up of a multi ethnic advisory group of experts which is entrusted with developing a framework for the realisation of the President's vision of a negotiated political solution based on a maximum devolution of power in an undivided Sri Lanka, Arunatilleke said.

The Indian Envoy last afternoon visited several tsunami reconstruction sites in the south including the place of the Peraliya train disaster to inspect the southern railway rehabilitation project implemented under Indian funding.

Saran will meet the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe before his departure, today. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Foreign Secretary H. M. G. S. Palihakkara, Government Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) Chief Dr. Palitha Kohona and Chief of Defence Staff Donald Perera. Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao was also present.