Indian top official arrived in SL to give final notice to MaRa regime – he leaves immediately
(Lanka-e-News-30.June.2012, 7.00PM) A most powerful diplomat of the Indian Govt. who arrived in SL yesterday , left for India immediately thereafter. Sivashankar Menon , the Indian security advisor is a powerful Govt. official too. He arrived in SL this early morning . After a brief meeting with the President at the Temple Trees , he had immediately left for India in the afternoon in the same special plane he arrived. Prior to his departure , he had met Basil Rajapakse and Gotabaya Rajapakse.
Indian High Commissioner in SL , Ashok K Kanth had participated in the discussions.
This is the shortest stay in SL by a touring Indian top official in the recent past. During his brief stay here , Menon had however met TNA senior M. P. - R Sambandan.
Indian political analysts say , this visit of Menon , the top Indian security advisor was to give a final notice to the Rajapakse Govt., and that this top Indian officer came to SL to intimate to the SL Govt. that the deadline of the SL Govt. to fulfill the undertakings given by it to India in regard to the political solution and the restoration of civil administration in the north and east among others , is over .
The notification issued by the Indian High Commission here after the departure of Menon , comprises 8 points , and in it is stated that Menon was here most certainly pertaining to advisory matters.
(Lanka-e-News-30.June.2012, 7.00PM) A most powerful diplomat of the Indian Govt. who arrived in SL yesterday , left for India immediately thereafter. Sivashankar Menon , the Indian security advisor is a powerful Govt. official too. He arrived in SL this early morning . After a brief meeting with the President at the Temple Trees , he had immediately left for India in the afternoon in the same special plane he arrived. Prior to his departure , he had met Basil Rajapakse and Gotabaya Rajapakse.Indian High Commissioner in SL , Ashok K Kanth had participated in the discussions.
This is the shortest stay in SL by a touring Indian top official in the recent past. During his brief stay here , Menon had however met TNA senior M. P. - R Sambandan.
Indian political analysts say , this visit of Menon , the top Indian security advisor was to give a final notice to the Rajapakse Govt., and that this top Indian officer came to SL to intimate to the SL Govt. that the deadline of the SL Govt. to fulfill the undertakings given by it to India in regard to the political solution and the restoration of civil administration in the north and east among others , is over .
The notification issued by the Indian High Commission here after the departure of Menon , comprises 8 points , and in it is stated that Menon was here most certainly pertaining to advisory matters.
The full text of the Indian notification is given hereunder :PRESS RELEASERemarks by National Security Adviser Mr. Shivshankar Menon at a Media Interaction in Colombo
(29 June 2012)
· My visit to Sri Lanka today has been in the context of regular consultations and exchange of views between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka.
· I called on H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning. Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris was also present at the meeting. Thereafter, I met Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development and Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary. I also met the TNA leader Mr. Sampanthan.
· I discussed recent developments, bilateral relations and areas of common concern. I was also briefed about steps being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka on political reconciliation and settlement. While this is a Sri Lankan issue and something that Sri Lanka has to do, we will continue to remain engaged with all concerned and offer any support required in this regard.
· India has always stood for a united Sri Lanka within which all citizens can live in equality, justice, dignity and self-respect. We have worked closely with the Government of Sri Lanka on relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs. India’s assistance was appreciated by the Sri Lankan leadership in all my meetings. We remain committed to continue our cooperation.
· We also discussed the fishermen’s issue. It was noted that the practical arrangements of October 2008 should be adhered to until an alternative mechanism was agreed upon. We agreed that fishermen’s associations on both sides, which had met in the past and reached some understandings, needed to meet again to work on developing this further. This could then serve as the basis for finding a solution to this humanitarian issue.
· On the bilateral front, we noted that most of the Indian-assisted projects were proceeding well and several projects, particularly those relating to the development of railway infrastructure in the Northern and Southern Provinces, were being implemented well ahead of schedule. In the past two years, India has committed US$ 750 million under lines of credit and another US$ 350 million under grants-in-aid. There are a number of other new projects under consideration.
· We also discussed maritime cooperation and other security related issues. It was agreed that we could take this further.
· Sri Lanka is our close neighbour, with whom we enjoy a multifaceted and dynamic relationship. We look forward to strengthening and further developing this engagement.
(29 June 2012)
· My visit to Sri Lanka today has been in the context of regular consultations and exchange of views between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka.
· I called on H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning. Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris was also present at the meeting. Thereafter, I met Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Minister of Economic Development and Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary. I also met the TNA leader Mr. Sampanthan.
· I discussed recent developments, bilateral relations and areas of common concern. I was also briefed about steps being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka on political reconciliation and settlement. While this is a Sri Lankan issue and something that Sri Lanka has to do, we will continue to remain engaged with all concerned and offer any support required in this regard.
· India has always stood for a united Sri Lanka within which all citizens can live in equality, justice, dignity and self-respect. We have worked closely with the Government of Sri Lanka on relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs. India’s assistance was appreciated by the Sri Lankan leadership in all my meetings. We remain committed to continue our cooperation.
· We also discussed the fishermen’s issue. It was noted that the practical arrangements of October 2008 should be adhered to until an alternative mechanism was agreed upon. We agreed that fishermen’s associations on both sides, which had met in the past and reached some understandings, needed to meet again to work on developing this further. This could then serve as the basis for finding a solution to this humanitarian issue.
· On the bilateral front, we noted that most of the Indian-assisted projects were proceeding well and several projects, particularly those relating to the development of railway infrastructure in the Northern and Southern Provinces, were being implemented well ahead of schedule. In the past two years, India has committed US$ 750 million under lines of credit and another US$ 350 million under grants-in-aid. There are a number of other new projects under consideration.
· We also discussed maritime cooperation and other security related issues. It was agreed that we could take this further.
· Sri Lanka is our close neighbour, with whom we enjoy a multifaceted and dynamic relationship. We look forward to strengthening and further developing this engagement.
