Northern polls: India lauds Lankan govt

The Indian government yesterday expressed its gratitude to the Sri Lankan government for its decision to hold Provincial Council elections in the North, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.

Top Indian government officials who met Minister Rajapaksa in India yesterday, said holding elections in the North was a significant move towards establishing democracy.

They said they welcome the government’s decision to appoint the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC).

India also anticipates Tamil National Alliance participation in the PSC. Minister Rajapaksa also said Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is scheduled to visit Sri Lankan soon.

“The ties between the two countries get stronger day by day,” he said.