Indian delegation off to N-E

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The joint Parliamentary delegation from India led by Opposition Leader of the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj began their six day visit to Sri Lanka, during which they will meet a cross-section of political leaders, civil society members and also assess the progress of development projects undertaken by India in the conflict affected areas.

The delegation met Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday, the first day of their programme in Sri Lanka. A spokesman for the Indian High Commission in Colombo Birender Singh Yadav said the delegation also visited Parliament where they met Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

This was followed by an interaction with other Parliamentarians. The delegation also met External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris.

They also met members of Tamil political parties. They also visited the IPKF memorial in Pelawatte, Battaramulla.

According to Yadav, the delegation will begin a tour of the North and East today.

Yadav said one of the main areas of focus of the delegation would be to review the progress of the development assistance projects for the resettlement and rehabilitation of IDPs and other development in the former conflict affected areas undertaken by the Indian government.

“The delegation will also speak with different segments of the Sri Lanka society on how reconciliation efforts are proceeding,” he added.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Indian External Affairs Ministry said the Joint Parliamentary delegation led by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, will be visiting Sri Lanka from April 16 to 21.

The delegation comprises of Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha nominated by various political parties, including the BJD, BJP, CPI (M), INC, JD (U) and SP.

The visit is organised in the context of a commitment made by the External Affairs Minister in Parliament in response to suggestions from Members of Parliament during Parliamentary debates on the situation in Sri Lanka, the statement said.