Colombo: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee
on Sunday called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and
discussed with him bilateral relations and the issue of
resettlement of the war displaced Tamils.
An official in the President`s office described the
breakfast meeting here as cordial.
He said Mukherjee discussed with Rajapaksa issues
pertaining to global economy during the meeting before
proceeding to Kandy, 115 kms North East of Colombo.
At Kandy, Mukherjee will visit the Sri Dalada Maligawa
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic before returning to India.
During his meeting with Rajapaksa, Mukherjee discussed
the current political situation in the country and issues
relating to the Internally Displaced People in relief camps in
the north, the Daily Mirror online reported.
Mukherjee, who delivered the 4th Lakshman Kadirgamar
Memorial Lecture here said yesterday that Sri Lanka should
find a political solution for the Tamil issue as a sequel to
the victory over LTTE, and ensure that every stakeholder gains
from the settlement irrespective of religion and ethnicity.
Some 1,43,161 IDPs are still living in welfare camps in
the North and the East, Minister for Disaster Management and
Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe said recently.
The government has claimed resettlements were taking
place every day.
Bureau Report
