New Delhi: India has deployed seven demining
teams in civil war ravaged areas of Northern Sri Lanka,
besides number of other assistance projects for the people
affected by the conflict, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
In a written reply, Minister for External Affairs S M
Krishna said Government of India has provided extensive
assistance to people affected by the conflict which includes a
Rs 500 crore for relief, rehabilitation and resettlement in
Sri Lanka.
"India has deployed seven demining teams in Northern Sri
Lanka; sent three consignments of 2600 MT each of shelter
material; distributed 70,000 agricultural starter packs to
revive agricultural activities; gifted 55 buses to the
Northern, Eastern and Central provinces; conducted an
artificial limb fitment camp in Northern Sri Lanka for
internally displaced persons and has also gifted 4 lakh cement
bags for resettling IDP families to assist them repair damaged
houses," he said.
He said government is of the view that the end of
conflict in Sri Lanka provided an opportunity to pursue a
lasting political settlement there within the framework of a
United Sri Lanka, acceptable to all communities of the island
nation, including the Tamils.
"During a recent visit of the President of Sri Lanka,
India has reiterated that a meaningful devolution package,
building upon the 13th Amendment would create the necessary
conditions for a lasting settlement. The President of Sri
Lanka reiterated his determination to evolve a political
settlement acceptable to all communities," Krishna said.
He said as humanitarian relief, India has dispatched 2.5
lakh family relief packs which were mobilised by Tamil Nadu
Government and deployed an emergency field hospital for six
months.
"India has also announced construction of 50,000 houses
of the IDPs in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri
Lanka. India is assisting Sri Lanka in several projects in
Northern and Eastern Provinces, including railway
infrastructure, Kankasanthrai harbour, a thermal power plant
at Trincomalee, cultural centre in Jaffna, Duraiappa stadium,
vocational centres, agricultural sector etc.," Krishna said.
-PTI
