‘We need India’s assistance now more than ever’ - Rishad

An inclusive solution to the national question would enable all the communities to live together in peace and the one which will be ever more desirable. The visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to Sri Lanka will surely strengthen the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India even more.

“Many parties are talking of finding solutions to achieve meaningful devolution of power which I think is encouraging. I urge that to use an ‘inclusive solution’, when devising solutions, that would enable all the communities to live together in peace and also one which will be ever more desirable, durable and effective for an equitable and a lasting solution for all, thereby helping to sustain the unity achieved after the bitter conflict we suffered through” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka.

Minister Bathiudeen was addressing the ceremony on handing over of houses built with Indian assistance for the Internally Displaced Persons at a function organized at Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi on 18 January.

“It is clear that we need India’s assistance now more than ever as we enter the new phase of development. I share the view that together, both India and Sri Lanka can embark on a fruitful journey strengthening our historic bilateral ties even further” Minister Bathiudeen said.

Speaking of his connection to the Northern Province, Minister Bathiudeen said: “I was born in the Northern province. Though this is my birthplace, I could not live here nor step in here for more than 20 years since together with my community, I too was expelled overnight by LTTE terrorists from here in 1990. On October 30, 1990, the LTTE terrorists expelled the entire Muslim population of 75,000 consisting of 35000 families from this area giving only two hours to leave.”

Minister Bathiudeen continued, “ We left immediately and for more than 20 years thereafter, we could not step into our birthplace. However, due to the leadership of Mahinda Rajapaksa, our President, we have achieved peace and now all communities of Sri Lanka are living in peace and unity, even in the North, and we are now free to walk in here. Of the 35000 displaced families, 20000 have returned to resettle after peace returned to North. I am also pleased to state that during my visit to India last week, I met my counterpart Anand Sharma and successfully discussed aspects of bilateral trade cooperation and steps in implementation of trade in future.”

Speaking of finding solutions to the national issue, Minister Bathiudeen said: “Many parties are talking of finding solutions to achieve meaningful devolution of power which I think is encouraging. I urge that to use an ‘inclusive solution’, when devising solutions, that would enable all the communities to live together in peace and also one which will be ever more desirable, durable and effective for an equitable and a lasting solution for all, thereby helping to sustain the unity achieved after the bitter conflict we suffered through.”

Thanking India for its continuous support to Sri Lanka, Minister Bathiudeen said: “On behalf of all Sri Lankans and I thank the Government of India and S M Krishna, External Affairs Minister of the government of India, for the valuable assistance being extended to us.”

- Asian Tribune -

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