By Janaka
Alahapperuma
Sept 21, 2012
Sept 21, 2012
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called on his Indian counterpart,
President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on Thursday evening. The
president and the Sri Lankan delegation were warmly welcomed by the Indian
president.
President Rajapaksa held a special meeting with the top Indian
leadership. They discussed many key bilateral issues, including South Indian
fishermen. India pressed for an expeditious inclusive solution to the ethnic
issue and rehabilitation of displaced people. However the two leaders paid
profound attention on strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
The Indian president hailed the rehabilitation and resettlement process
and economic growth marked by Sri Lanka. He also praised that massive
development activities taking place in the Northern and Eastern provinces. The
Indian president noted that de-mining 90 percent of vulnerable lands in war hit
areas and completing resettlement process successfully are major achievements
of the government of Sri Lanka in a very short period of time.
In the backdrop of the recent attacks against Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu,
the Sri Lankan leader, during his meeting with President Mukherjee, also noted
that such unfortunate incidents should not be allowed to harm centuries old
ties between the two countries. The president also thanked the Indian
government for extending helping hand to expedite the country's development
initiatives. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L Peiris, Parliamentarian
Sajin Vaas Gunewardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga, Sri
Lankan High Commissioner in India Prasad Kariyawasam and Secretary to the External
Affairs Ministry, Karunathilaka Amunugama were also present at the occasion.
