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22-09-2006

Sri Lankan MPs seek India's help

New Delhi, Sept. 22 (PTI): Ahead of their meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, five Sri Lankan MPs yesterday sought India's help in addressing the problems afflicting the island nation, including violence against ethnic Tamil people.

The delegation raised their demand during a meeting with National Security Adviser M K Narayanan here. They also met CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja as part of their effort to muster political support in India for their cause.

During their meetings, the MPs are said India should not be a mute spectator to the happenings in Sri Lanka and should play a role to end miseries in the island nation.

They sought India's help and support in the devolution of powers to Tamil areas in the island as they discuss wide-raning issues including political "restructuring" of the country.

R Sampanthan, leading the delegation, expressed satisfaction over the discussions and hoped that CPI would help make a favourable public opinion about the Eelam issue.

CPI General Secretary Bardhan told reporters "we don't support the division of the state. Restructuring can be in the form of a federal structure."

The CPI leadership conveyed to the delegation that the ceasefire should resume and LTTE should also participate in talks.

Apart from Sampanthan, the delegation consisted of K Premachandran, S Senathirajan, M Adaikalanathan and G Ponnambalam. They are planning to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Source-The Hindu