Lanka assures more powers to Tamils

Sending a delegation of high-ranking officials to Delhi, Sri Lanka on Tuesday allayed Indian concerns over rehabilitation of war-hit Tamil civilians and devolution of more political powers to its Tamil-dominated provinces.

The delegation that met External Affairs Minister S M Krishna included Sri Lan kan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s two influential brothers — Senior Adviser to the President Basil Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President was also part of the team.

The meeting sorted out the affair of M V Captain Ali. Sri Lankan authorities had initially declined permission — citing technical reasons — for unloading the relief material on this ship, sent to the island by overseas Tamils.

Krishna suggested a “humanitarian gesture” and the Sri Lankan delegation agreed to accept the relief material if it was routed through the Indian Red Cross.

Just before the meeting with the delegation, DMK leader and Communications Minister A Raja had called on Krishna, saying that India should intervene and get Colombo to receive M V Captain Ali.

Lanka also calmed apprehensions over speculation that Colombo was setting up military structures on Kat­chatheevu, the island that falls between Sri Lanka and the Tamil Nadu coast. There would also be no change in the understanding between the two countries over fishing in the strait.

The Rajapaksa brothers’ visit is meant to convey to Delhi as well as Chennai  that Colombo is serious about commitments related to the Tamil community, now that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been defeated.