Indo-Lanka bonds flourishing - Mani Shankar

Mohammed Naalir

COLOMBO: Indo-Lanka economic, political, cultural and individual ties date back several decades from the times of Jawaharlal Nehru to Anura Bandaranaike, said Panchayat Raj, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.

He made these observations delivering the 47th memorial lecture of late Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike on the theme "Current situation in Asia, particularly in South Asia" held at the BMICH Tuesday (26).

He said like Sri Lanka India too was confronted with the problem of terrorism.

Sri Lanka is a democratic country which has its own sovereignty and India will render all its assistance in its ongoing peace efforts on the basis of non-interference.

He said that Sri Lanka's problem should be resolved internally and the current Ceasefire Agreement should be strengthened. The Indo Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement gives benefits to both countries and it should be developed further he added.

He spoke of the importance of regional cooperation between South Asian countries in the quest for regional prosperity.

Recalling the times of late Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike, Mani Shankar said the late Premier was one of the greatest leaders of South Asia.

"He made every effort to bring prosperity to Sri Lanka. When I read the news of his assassination it shocked me. The recent assassination of Foreign Affairs Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar too was a shocking tragedy."

The deaths of Prime Minister S.W.R.Bandaranaike and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were an irreparable to South Asia.

The Minister said both India and Sri Lanka are heir to a rich indigenous culture and a sound political tradition that shows the way to conflict resolution leading towards prosperity.

Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Western Province Governor Alawi Mowlana, Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Nirupama Rao, several Ministers, MPs and other dignitaries were present.