Sri Lanka

The Polit Bureau expresses its deep concern at the continuing arrests and detention in Sri Lanka of fishermen from Tamilnadu. At present there are 210 fishermen and their 70 boats in Sri Lankan custody. The Central Government should immediately intervene to secure the release of the fishermen. The problems faced by the fishermen of both countries and the crossing of maritime boundaries have to be discussed and settled. This requires a concerted effort by holding talks between representatives of fishermen of both countries and the two governments.

I would urge you to ensure that the Government of India plays a proactive diplomatic role in discharging its commitment for a future for the Sri Lankan Tamil community marked by equality, justice and self-respect. Needless to add, this 13th Amendment was the consequence of the historic Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord. It is, thus, expected that India plays a role in the implementation of the provisions of the Accord, while strengthening the best of relations between our two sovereign countries

We have to maintain people to people relations and foster friendly relations between the peoples of the two countries. Whatever the differences and opposition that exists regarding the Sri Lankan government’s approach to the Tamil question in Sri Lanka, nothing should be done to disturb people to people relations.

The drama of the resignation of Dinesh Trivedi as Railway Minister after the presentation of the Railway Budget reflects badly on the Trinamul Congress and the functioning of the UPA government. What is of least concern for the TMC leader, who was herself the railway minister ten months ago, is the perilous state of the railways which is in a financial mess and where safety aspects are being neglected.

The Indian government should take the stand in the UN Human Rights Council that the Sri Lankan government should take up the implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC without any further delay. These include the necessity for a credible investigation into the allegations of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and a political settlement involving the devolution of powers to the provinces.