PM Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, held bilateral discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. While addressing joint press briefing, PM Modi raised issue of Tamils in Sri Lanka, saying that he expects the Sri Lankan government to fulfil their aspirations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday raised the Tamil issue with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, saying that he expects the Sri Lankan govt to fulfil the aspirations of Tamils and work in the direction of full implementation of the constitution, and fulfil their commitment of provisional council elections. PM Modi, in the joint press briefing with Sri Lankan President, also announced that 10,000 houses for the Indian origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka will be completed soon.
PM Modi, who was addressing the joint press brief with the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, also quoted Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar, saying, “What could be bigger protection against the enemy if not the shield of a true friend and his friendship? President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had chosen India for his first foreign visit. Today, I am his first foreign guest here in Sri Lanka. It shows the depths of our special relationship. Sri Lanka has a special place in our neighbourhood first policy and mission SAGAR.”
The Tamil issue in Sri Lanka refers to the ethnic conflict between the minority Tamil community and the majority Sinhala community. The conflict led to civil war from early 1980s to 2009.
Despite the war ending in 2009, the Tamils in Sri Lanka are still awaiting the resolution of certain issues, including those of political rights, devolution of powers, and post-war reconciliation.
Moreover, the Sri Lankan president conveyed to PM Modi that India’s assistance to Sri Lanka in times of need and continuing solidarity are deeply cherished.
Another important agreement that the two sides inked was on developing Trincomalee as an energy hub.
PM Modi and President Dissanayake also virtually inaugurated the Sampur solar power project.
“The Sampur Solar Power Plant will help in Sri Lanka’s energy security. All the people of Sri Lanka will benefit from the agreements signed for building a multi-product pipeline and developing Trincomalee as an energy hub,” Modi said.
The grid inter-connectivity agreement between the two countries will open up options for Sri Lanka to export electricity, he said. PM Modi said Sri Lanka has a “special place” in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision ‘MAHASAGAR’.
“In the last four months, since President Dissanayake’s visit to India, our cooperation has progressed significantly,” he said.
The PM Modi-Dissanayake talks were held a day after the prime minister arrived in the Sri Lankan capital after concluding his trip to Bangkok where he attended a summit of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).