NSA called upon the Sri Lankan Government to protect the rights of the Indian Fishermen"

Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today called upon the Sri Lankan Government to protect the rights of the Indian Fishermen, when they ventured in to the sea.

Speaking to reporters here after meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, Menon said he assured the DMK patriarch that the Centre would continue to "do whatever it can" on these issues.

India was working with the Sri Lankan government for resettlement of internally displaced Tamils in the island and devolution of powers that would satisfy all communities, the National Security Advisor added.

"I am here on a courtesy call on CM who is kind enough to receive me. We have discussed various issues of concern. He told me particularly of his concern about Indian fishermen and their treatment in Sri Lanka," Menon said.

Karunanidhi, also spoke about the condition of Tamil population in Sri Lanka, said Menon and "I assured him that the Centre will continue to do whatever it can."

"We are working with the Sri Lankan government both in terms of resettlement of displaced people and also in terms of devolution of power in the political arrangement that will satisfy all the communities in Sri Lanka.", Menon, who recently took over as the National Security Advisor after retiring as Foreign Secretary, said.

Mr Menon succeeds Mr M K Narayanan, who was appointed as Governor of West Bengal.

- Asian Tribune -