India-Lanka strong ties essential - PM

The continuity of the strong relations between India and Sri Lanka is essential for the mutual benefit of both nations.

There were external pressures made against Sri Lanka and India supported us at those periods, Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne said. The premier said so when the visiting Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Sigh Chowwan called on the Prime Minister Sunday.

He said we have ended terrorism and started our program of development under the strong leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, but certain international forces have begun exerting pressure on various issues threatening the country's sovereignty.

India as our neighbour, also is concerned about the situation," the Premier said.

"Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Chouhan said India is happy that Sri Lanka is achieving rapid economic development and the Government and the people of India are glad that Sri Lanka has been able to defeat terrorism.

India would continue to assist in the development efforts of Sri Lanka and was glad that the Government was taking positive steps to resettle and assist the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) of the North. He said India have given 64 acres in Madhya Pradesh for the establishment of an International Buddhist University and also allocated Rs 10 million to start it. There were several places of importance to the Buddhists in the Madhya Pradesh and ties between India and Sri Lanka are very strong.