Five MoUs were signed between India and Sri Lanka today in the field of housing, railways, agriculture, water supply and telecom. The first MoU specifying the modalities for the next phase of the Housing Project being implemented with India’s assistance of approximately 260 million US Dollars was signed between External Affairs Minister of India, S.M. Krishna and his Sri Lankan counterpart G.L. Peiris. The MoU involves the construction of 49,000 houses, out of a total of 50,000 houses and includes inter alias reconstruction of 38,000 houses, repairs of 5,000 houses under the owner-driven model for IDPs, and construction of 6,000 houses by agencies for vulnerable sections of IDPs who are unable to build their own houses.
India today also signed MoU extending the line of credit 382.37 million USD for the restoration of Northern Railway Services in Sri Lanka. The Line of Credit will be used for track laying on the Pallai-kankesanthurai railway line, setting up of signaling and telecommunications systems for the Northern railway line and other projects as may be mutually agreed by the Governments of India and Sri Lanka.
Another MoU was signed for Buyer’s Credit Agreement for 60.69 million US Dollars between EXIM Bank of India and Government of Sri Lanka for financing Greater Dambulla Water Supply Project for supply, erection and commissioning of water treatment plant and distribution across Dambulla region in Sri Lanka.
An MoU to promote development of cooperation in the fields of agricultural science and technology, agricultural production and agro-processing through joint activities, programmes, exchange of scientific materials, information and personnel was also signed. And the MoU on telecom provides for establishing a mechanism of technical and institutional cooperation in the field of telecommunications, with the purpose of development of telecommunications in both the countries.
Earlier, the Sri Lankan President today assured External Affairs Minister SM Krishna that the 13 Amendment plus approach will be followed towards devolution of power to the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Addressing a press conference a short while ago with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister GL Peires, SM Krishna stated that it was heartening to hear the Sri Lankan President’s commitment on the 13th Amendment. He said time and again Sri Lanka has assured India of its intent to implement the 13 Amendment for a meaningful devolution package for the ethnic minority.
Mr. Krishna said that in the quest of a genuine political settlement, India will help Sri Lanka in whatever way it can in the spirit of partnership and cooperation. He also said that some of the positive recommendations by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), if implemented will mark a step forward in genuine national reconciliation. Mr. Krishna said, the talks between Tamil National Alliance, TNA and the government, would pave way for the Parliamentary Select Committee. On the issue of straying of fishermen, the External Affairs Minister said, it was an emotive issue and there should be no use of force in dealing with them. He said, the fishermen should be treated in a humane manner.
India today asked Sri Lanka to work for a genuine reconciliation and urged the leadership to work towards this in a timely manner. Speaking to the media today, SM Krishna said that it is our hope that the vision and leadership that resulted in an end to armed conflict will now be employed in the quest for a genuine political reconciliation. We look forward to progress in the ongoing dialogue process, in order to address this issue in a timely manner. We will continue to work with the Government of Sri Lanka, and help in whatever way we can, to take this process forward, in a spirit of partnership and cooperation.
Referring to the many constructive recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), SM Krishna said that when implemented, would mark a major step forward in the process of genuine national reconciliation and that Sri Lanka must seize this opportunity.
External Affairs Minister today had a breakfast meeting with the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, where the President assured that he stands by his commitment to pursuing the 13th Amendment plus approach.
Amidst reports that TNA – and the government talks have been called off, Mr Krishna said that continuation of the dialogue between the two would pave the way for political settlement, including under the rubric of the Parliamentary Select Committee. The need to handle the fishermen issue in a humane manner was also emphasized by Mr Krishna.
