Indian government assists to Palaly Runway Rehabilitation Project
Deepening and strengthening the long‐standing bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and India, the Indian government financially assisted for the Palaly Runway Rehabilitation project.
Bank drafts worth of SLRs over 117 million, the second installment of the India’s assistance for the project was officially handed over to the Secretary Defence Goatabaya Rajapaksa on the 3rd of August.
Indian Field Hospital here for 2 more months
On the request of the Sri Lankan government, India has decided to extend by another two months the tenure of the Indian Armed Forces Field Hospital Unit that provides relief to the internally displaced Tamil civilians.
A Defence Ministry communiqué said this was the second extension granted by the Indian government.The field hospital unit had been providing humanitarian service to the war‐affected Tamils at the Manik Farm Camp since March.
More money offered for resettling Tamils in Lanka
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is willing to give more funds, besides the $100m which India has already pledged, for resettlement of around 300,000 civilians displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said yesterday.
Delhi must closely work with US to break China’s strategy
India has a common interest with the US in countering China’s strategy. No matter the motives behind the US’ current emphasis on a “political settlement”, after having been a staunch supporter of Rajapaksa’s war, Delhi must closely work with the Barack Obama Administration, writes former Indian diplomat M. Bhadrakumar, who sees Delhi’s political leverage over Colombo diminishing in what he thinks ‘post-LTTE’ era.
P.M. Amza, Sri Lankan envoy heckled
The outgoing Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in South India, P.M. Amza, was heckled by a group of youths as he was leaving the Madras Gymkhana Club after attending a felicitation to mark the end of his tenure.
Mr. Amza was being escorted to his car after the felicitation by the Andhra Chamber of Commerce when the youths, including a woman, assembled in front of the vehicle and raised slogans.
Ferry service to Lanka resumes after 25 yrs
India and Sri Lanka have decided to resume the ferry service between Cochin and Colombo after 25 years.
The decision was taken on Saturday at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) transport ministers’ conference here which was attended by an Indian delegation led by minister of state for road transport and highways, R P N Singh.
India, Sri Lanka to resume ferry link soon
India and Sri Lanka would be resuming ferry connectivity between Kochi and Colombo ‘shortly,’ it was announced here at the conclusion of the Second Meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Ministers of Transport.
A statement by the Indian High Commission said here that the ferry service would be one of the key connecting links in strengthening trade, social and cultural interaction between the people of the SAARC Member States and to this end, air connectivity between New Delhi & Male would be operationalised as well.
India betrays Tamils – Vaiko
Marumalarchi Diravida Munnetra Kalaga General Secretary Gopalasamy stated India by voting in supportive of Sri Lanka at the United Nation Human Rights Council has betrayed Tamils.
During the past five months about 145,000 civilians are killed in Sri Lanka and 350,000 civilians are living without adequate protection.
Sri Lanka must be treated as a special case: Karunanidhi
Tamils the world over believe that the draft resolution presented by the Sri Lankan government to the United Nations Human Rights Council is against the interests of Sri Lankan Tamils, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Tuesday.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a copy of which was released to the media, Mr. Karunanidhi said: “Though there is on one side a question of interfering in the internal affairs of a country, which would affect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence, Sri Lanka should be treated as a special case.
Sri Lankan government must fulfill Tamils’ demands: Indian foreign minister
The 77-year-old south Indian veteran politician and new foreign minister of India, S. M. Krishna, said the time has ripe for the Sri Lankan government to fulfill the demands of Tamils in Sri Lanka for ensuring lasting peace in the country.
S. M. Krishna has been appointed as India’s foreign minister by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
