India to assist Lanka's development drive

Shirley Wijesinghe

Indian Urban Development Minister Prof. Sugatha Roy said, India will always assist Sri Lanka in its development drive.

The Indian Minister said so when he met Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa recently.

Minister Weerawansa had a lengthy discussion with the Indian Urban Development Minister Prof. Sugatha Roy about the dawn of a new atmosphere in the country after the three decade war against the LTTE terrorists was over.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa has drawn attention of the recent Third Asia Pacific Housing Ministers meeting, Indonesia on housing problems related to the under- served people in the urban slums, a ministry spokesman said.

He said Sri Lanka can be proud to say that time has come to step up the development sphere with the help of neighbouring countries.

Minister Weerawansa had appreciated the Sri Lanka - India cordial relationship under the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

It will be a unique example not only for the Asian region but also for the entire world, Minister Weerawansa said.

Weerawansa told the Indian Minister that Sri Lanka needed Indian assistance to provide better housing facilities to the people who are living in the urban slums.

The Indian Urban Development Minister also discussed the problems faced by Sri Lankan Tamils and said India is ready to give its assistance to Sri Lanka whenever it is required.

Indian Minister Roy said that the only battle between India and Sri Lanka will be taken place at the cricket field.