India and Sri Lanka have agreed to start a knowledge initiative that will assist in making the island nation into a trilingual society and improving linkages between universities in the two countries. <br/><br/>A joint declaration issued after detailed discussions between the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Sri Lankan President Mr.Mahinda Rajapaksa said both leaders agreed to launch the initiative. <br/><br/>The joint decleration said that India announced expansion of its scholarship programmes, especially focusing on students of northern and eastern Sri Lanka and upcountry areas. <br/><br/>On the cultural front, both countries decided to hold joint activities in the 2,600th year of attainment of enlightenment of Lord Buddha. It added the Archaeological Survey of India and the College of Architecture and Sculpture, Mamallapuram, will help in the restoration of the Tiruketheeswaram temple at Mannar with the involvement of the department of archaeology of Sri Lanka. <br/><br/>Giving details of the talks held between the two leaders, Foreign Secretary, Nirupma Rao said, Dr. Manmohan Singh urged Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa to initiate a meaningful devolution package to resolve the ethnic issue and called for urgent steps to re-settle the displaced Tamil civilians who continue to remain in relief camps. <br/><br/>Official sources said, Sri Lankan government conveyed to India that it intends to move forward quickly in regard to achieving a political settlement that could satisfy the aspirations of the minorities. <br/><br/>Mr. Rajapaksa also conveyed his desire to seek an inclusive process and has begun consultations in this regard.