Indian envoys to Sri Lanka visit the northern and eastern provinces; Interaction with Tamil leaders

India’s top diplomat in Colombo interacted with senior Tamil leaders during his visit to the northern and eastern provinces and emphasized that achieving the legitimate aspirations of the minority Tamil community through meaningful deviation through a united Sri Lanka. , Will contribute to inclusive progress and power. Island nation.

During his three-day visit to the two provinces from 11 to 13 March, High Commissioner Gopal Bagle also underlined India’s long-term cooperation and commitment to the development of the northern and eastern provinces according to the needs and priorities of the people. His elected representatives, the High Commission of India, said in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Bagale, who held several meetings with Tamil Party leaders during his visit, recalled the commitments of the Sri Lankan government on the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and honor.

He said that achieving them through a meaningful diversion within Sri Lanka would contribute to the peace, harmony, inclusive progress and strength of the country.

During their meetings, Tamil leaders sought further assistance for infrastructure development, greater economic investment and additional projects under grant-in-aid for development cooperation from India in the province.

Mr. Bagle assured him of continued cooperation from India in these areas.

His visit came in the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s proposal to be transferred to the United Nations Human Rights Council next week.

The proposal calls on Sri Lanka to be responsible for war crimes that the International Courts are responsible for and targeted sanctions against officials responsible for alleged human rights violations during the country’s three-decade-long civil war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held a telephone conversation on Saturday, during which they reviewed ongoing developments as well as ongoing bilateral and multilateral forums between the two countries.

The two leaders agreed to maintain regular contact between the officials concerned, referring to the continuing COVID-19 challenges, the Prime Minister’s Office statement (PMO) said in New Delhi.

The Sri Lankan President’s office here did not comment on the call and if India had responded favorably to Colombo’s support at the UNHRC.

Sri Lanka is hoping that India will stand by when the UNHRC moves forward its latest accountability and cohesion proposal on the island nation this month.

A UN report has called for stricter measures against those allegedly responsible for rights violations during the last phase of the armed conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The Indian envoy held separate meetings with the Northern Tamil parties, including the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), an ally of the current government.

The EPDP thanked India for its continued position in the implementation of the 13th Amendment which empowers the Tamil community to provide power. India is pressuring Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment.

The main Tamil parties Tamil National Alliance (TNA), hardline parties TMTK (Tamil People’s National Alliance) and Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) were all engaged in dialogue and raised issues related to Tamil minority and with Indian citizens under development cooperation Urged to increase.

During Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka in January, India outlined Sri Lanka’s process of reconciliation and an “inclusive political approach” that encourages ethnic harmony.

Jaishankar had met the Tamil leadership and discussed issues related to development and development and the role of provincial councils as part of national reconciliation.

President Rajapaksa told a political gathering this week that the government would choose to hold an adjourned provincial council election to know public opinion on holding elections.

Elections to nine councils are due by the end of 2019 and were halted in 2018 due to a legal ban on electoral system reform.