India urges Lanka to implement LLRC recommendations

Colombo, Jan.17 (ANI): India has urged Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the lessons learnt and reconciliation commission (LLRC) and said that Colombo must seize the opportunity for genuine reconciliation of Tamils.

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told media here: "We have noted many constructive recommendations contained in the recently released report on lessonsearnt and reconciliation commission."

"These recommendations when implemented would mark a major step forward in the process of genuine national reconciliation to which the Sri Lankan government is committed,Sri Lanka must seize this opportunity Krishna added.

The External Affairs Minister also said: "It is our hope that vision and leadership that resulted in the end of armed conflict will now be employed in the quest for genuine political reconciliation."

LLRC report was tabled on 16th December , report has recommended various constructive measures for addressing issues related to healing the wounds of the conflict and fostering a process of lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Which includes proposed measures pertaining to information on missing persons and detainees, investigation of cases of disappearances and abductions, promotion of a trilingual policy, deployment of Tamil-speaking officers in all offices, curbing activities of illegal armed groups, reduction of high security zones, return of private lands by the military and demilitarization , including phasing out of the involvement of the security forces in civilian activities and restoration of civilian administration in the Northern Province.

Earlier, President Rajapaksa also assured S M Krishna that the Lankan government is committed to pursue the 13th amendment plus approach, scotching all the speculations that Rajapaksa has backed off from his promise however President did not give any timeframe for the devolution.

"We didn't discuss timeframe and by the sheer nature of the complexity of the problem it would not be desirable for me to either suggest to the president or to ask him about timeframe," Krishna said.

"It was heartening as far as I'm concerned, as EAM of India, it was heartening to hear from the president himself that he is committed to 13th plus amendment to Sri Lankan constitution and the process will automatically follow," Krishna added.

India has also called for the continuation of dialogue between the government and Tamil National Alliance and hoped that talks would pave the way for political settlement under the rubric of parliamentary select committee.

The TNA believes that the Sri Lankan Government is not sincere in finding a political solution of Tamils and there are reports that the dialogue between the government and the TNA has been derailed,

Meanwhile, during the joint media interaction, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris said that it is wrong to say that the talks have been called off

"We want to make the talks a success and we believe that there is a necessary condition and absolutely essential condition for success ,its inclusivity we cannot expect to archive success on a matter that is as complex as this if the talks exclude vast area political opinion in country they must find expression," he said.

The government has requested TNA to participate in the deliberations of the parliamentary select committee which is not yet formed because TNA isot giving names," the Lankan Foreign Minister added .

Krishna is on four day official visit to Sri Lanka. On Tuesday, he met President Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D M Jayarathna and his counterpart G.L.Peiris.

India and Sri lanka also inked five agreements. By Naveen Kapoor (ANI)