India welcomes implementation of 13th Amendment

Nadira Gunatilleke

Indian Foreign Ministry Secretary Shivashankar Menon has welcomed the Government's move to implement the 13th Amendment to resolve the ethnic problem of Sri Lanka.

He expressed his views when he met Social Services and Social Welfare Minister and the Secretary General of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) Douglas Devananda who is now on a visit to India, Media Secretary to the Minister Nelson P. Edirisinghe said.

Edirisinghe said Minister Devananda held lengthy discussions with the Foreign Secretary and sought the support of India to foster inter-racial unity, interests of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Secretary had also pledged India's commitment to help bring peace and harmony to Sri Lanka.

Minister Devananda also met Indian National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan in New Delhi and held discussions in connection with the present situation in Sri Lanka.

The Security Advisor has also said he expected that powers will be devolved to the North and East in the near future consequent to which India would play a major role in Sri Lanka's efforts to solve its problems.

Minister Devananda attended the Regional Forum of Ministers of Social Development from South Asia and Global Minority Conference held in India.