India has pledged assistance for reconstruction of the war-ravaged Northern part of Sri Lanka and would work together with Colombo on a development plan for these areas involving infrastructure and other support.
According to the external affairs ministry spokesman, foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee, who was in Colombo on a brief visit, held detailed discussions with Sri Lankan leaders, including President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and stressed that military victories offered a political opportunity to restore normal life in the Northern Province and throughout Sri Lanka after 23 years of conflict.
The two leaders discussed the recent developments in the island nation, the entire gamut of India-Sri Lanka relations and regional issues of mutual interest. In a statement, Mukherjee expressed satisfaction at the ??comprehensive briefing?? by the Lankan side.
The statement stated that the bilateral relations were strongly developing and it was particularly important at this time of transition and change that both countries continued to strengthen relations.
??I stressed that military victories offer a political opportunity to restore life to normalcy in the Northern Province and throughout Sri Lanka, after 23 years of conflict. The President assured me that this was his intent. We will work together with the Lankan government to enable all Sri Lankans, and particularly the Tamil ethnic to lead normal lives as soon as possible,?? said the minister.