RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2762
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2019
VISIT OF SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT TO INDIA
2762. SHRI VAIKO:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has initiated any talk with the President of Sri Lanka about improving Indo-Sri Lanka relations;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Sri Lankan President is expected to visit India in the near future;
(d) if so, whether Government would take up the issue of giving justice to Sri Lankan Tamils who were victims in their own land, for the last 30 years;
(e) whether the issue of devolution of powers to the Northern and Eastern provinces and rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamils were discussed or to be discussed; and
(f) if so, the outcome thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) to (f) External Affairs Minister (EAM) visited Colombo as a Special Envoy of Prime Minister on 19 November and extended an invitation to the President of Sri Lanka to visit India.
President of Sri Lanka paid a State Visit from 28-30 November 2019 and met with President and Prime Minister. During the meetings, the entire gamut of bilateral relations was discussed.
India emphasised the need for a negotiated political settlement, including implementation of 13th Amendment, acceptable to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, which is consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights.
The President of Sri Lanka has said, "I am the President of not only those who voted for me but also those who voted against me and irrespective of which race or religion they belong to. I am deeply committed to serve all the people of Sri Lanka”.
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