Krishna heads to Lanka, hopes for solution to Tamils’ problems

BANGALORE/NEW DELHI — External Affairs Minister S M Krishna yesterday hoped for a lasting political solution to the outstanding issues between the minority Tamilspeaking Sri Lankans and the government.

"It is in the interest of the island nation to work out a lasting solution to the ethnic Tamils' issues," Krishna said ahead of his four-day visit to Sri Lanka yesterday.

Noting that the Sri Lankan government should talk to a cross-section of the Tamilspeaking minorities and their leadership for an amicable settlement of all pending issues, he said the Indian approach to this contentious issue had been for a genuine national reconciliation and thereby a lasting political settlement in the island nation.

"We have taken the Tamil sentiments into account and factored them in our policies. Our view is that all outstand- ing issues should be resolved through dialogue and to the satisfaction of both the parties," he said.

During his second visit, Krishna will hold wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris on the Tamils' issue, repatriation of genuine fishermen held in each other’s territory and expedite negotiations for a pact to jointly develop fisheries.

Krishna first visited Sri Lanka as external affairs minister in November 2010.

"I think an early and amicable solution will help improve people-to-people contact between Tamils in India and northern Sri Lanka. If trade and movement of people between the two countries, especially from Tamil Nadu thrives, it will be a win-win situation," Krishna pointed out.

Krishna will also call on President Mahinda Rajapakse and Prime Minister D M Jayaratne during the visit and discuss bilateral issues between the two countries.

Krishna will meet representatives of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and elicit their views on the progress in their talks with Colombo over the proposed devolution of powers to the regions.

TNA has been pushing for land and police powers in the provinces.

Although Rajapakse has made it clear that the government would not devolve these powers to the regions in line with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, his government had indicated its willingness to discuss the issue.

Krishna will also review progress in an India-assisted project for building 50,000 houses in war-ravaged north for internally-displaced people and hand over the first set of houses in Jaffna, built for ethnic Tamils. — IANS