All parties must express gratitude to Indian Government - Media Minister

Chaminda PERERA

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday requested all political parties to express their gratitude to the Indian Government for settling the recent issue raised by the Tamil Nadu State Government amicably.

"All political parties in a joint statement should express their gratitude to the Indian Government on how this matter was settled by them amicably in a transparent manner protecting the dignity of both countries.

We are fully contended on how this matter was settled with hurt to none.

India as a superpower in the South Asian region strove to protect the dignity and centuries old bilateral diplomatic and historical relations in each step they took towards the resolution of this issue," Minister Abeywardena said.

The Indian Government deviating from its stand on the North East issue in 1988 has expressed that it cannot meddle with Sri Lanka's internal policies.

The Minister said we should thank the Indian Government for understanding Sri Lanka's situation at this decisive juncture and coming forward to settle the matter amicably. Meanwhile, the Media Minister refuted media reports that India was set to dispatch food directly to uncleared areas.

The Minister said there is no truth in these reports as India will deliver these food stocks through the Lankan Government. India has promised MP Basil Rajapaksa to grant 800 MT of food items to the IDPs and the conflict affected people in the Wanni.

The acceptance of Indian food stocks does not in any way mean that the Government is incapable of supplying necessary food items to the civilians in uncleared areas. "We have already dispatched adequate foods to the Wanni region. Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi Government Agents are maintaining additional food stocks which are sufficient for three month's consumption." In addition, the Essential Services Commissioner General and the Nation Building Ministry have taken all necessary steps to ensure that no civilians are affected by a food shortage and they have stored buffer stocks in Colombo and Vavuniya in case of any emergency.

Presidential Senior Advisor Basil Rajapaksa has clearly elaborated to the Indian Government on how the Government restored democracy in the Eastern province a few months after it was liberated from the clutches of terrorists.

"He has pointed out that no other Government in Sri Lanka has carried out a massive development drive in the East to ensure that people in the Province too will receive the benefits of development enjoyed by other provinces."

The Indian Government has also been apprised that democracy and civil administration will soon be restored in the North after it was liberated from the terrorists and a political solution will be brought.