INDIAN DELEGATION INQUIRES TAMIL PEOPLE’S POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS

The opposition delegation of the Indian Parliament paid a visit to Jaffna on Wednesday, and met with Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, people’s representatives, religious dignitaries, intellectuals and Trade Union representatives at Jaffna Tilko Hotel.

The Indian delegation whilst inquiring into the political aspirations of the Tamil people, directed their attention to the projects in progress and those to be earmarked for commencement with Indian assistance.

Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Deputy Leader of Indian Lok Sabah who led the delegation proclaimed that India, Sri Lanka’s immediate neighbour, at all times had been its inseparable alley with many common ties and that he could understand the prob-

They also viewed the progress of the projects in implementation with Indian assistancea

lems faced by the people of the North and their immediate and long-term necessities.

The representatives of the Fisheries Societies placed before the visiting delegation the problems faced by the Sri Lankan fishermen and what steps India could take to resolve these problems.

In addition, the discussion also focused on the development projects intended to be initiated by the Indian Government. At the conclusion of the lengthy and effective discussion, the Hon. Minister presented a souvenir to the leader of the delegation Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad.

At the invitation of the Hon. Minister, the delegation visited the fishing net production factory at Gurunagar, belonging to the North Sea Limited, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development, to observe the functioning and performance of the four machines donated by the Indian Government.

The Minister thanked the people of India and the Indian Government for the assistance extended to boost the industry.