Rajapaksa promises speedy rehabilitation of displaced Tamils

“In particular,the Prime Minister emphasised the need for urgent steps to resettle the remaining IDPs (internally displaced persons) and urged Sri Lanka to undertake speedy rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka,” Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told reporters here.

Rajapaksa reiterated “his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities that would act as a catalyst to create the necessary conditions in which all the people of Sri Lanka could lead their lives in an atmosphere of peace,justice and dignity,consistent with democracy,pluralism,equal opportunity and respect for human rights,” a joint declaration,issued after the meeting,said.

Congratulating Rajapaksa on his recent electoral victories,Singh also conveyed that the recent elections,together with the cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka in May 2009,provided a historic opportunity for the country’s leaders to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation and to work towards genuine national reconciliation.

The Prime Minister emphasised that a meaningful devolution package,building upon the 13th Amendment,would create the necessary conditions for a lasting political settlement.

Singh was apprised of the measures taken by the Sri Lankan government to bring about a rapid and sustainable resettlement of the bulk of the IDPs and it was stated that the process of resettling the limited number still remaining in the transit facilities would be further expedited.

Both leaders agreed to work closely towards this end,the declaration said.

In this context,India’s assistance to rebuild infrastructure,including railway infrastructure,set up several Vocational Training Centres,repair and construct schools,houses,stadium and recreational facilities,supply much-needed inputs for agricultural regeneration and undertake several other projects was greatly appreciated.

Both Singh and the Sri Lankan President also announced a major initiative to undertake a programme of construction of 50,000 houses for internally displaced persons in Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka which will be carried out with Indian assistance.