Proposal for formation of an Indo-Sri Lanka Marine Disputes Authority to find a permanent solution to end the "sufferings" of Indian fishermen; Sri Lankan Opposition leader met Indian President during his visit to India; Foreign Secretary-level bilateral
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    • According to reports, following the arrest of twenty six Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, General Secretary of Indian National Fish Workers Forum M. Ilango has sought formation of an Indo-Sri Lanka Marine Disputes Authority to find a permanent solution to end the "sufferings" of Indian fishermen, allegedly at the hands of Sri Lankan Navy while fishing. The fishery official has said that there should be initiatives on the part of India's central government and the Sri Lankan authorities to invite representatives of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and Sri Lanka to find permanent solution. 1

    In another development, according to reports, as a neighbour with thousands of years of close ties, India has a natural interest in Sri Lanka and the Indian people cannot remain untouched by developments in Sri Lanka, President of India Pranab Mukherjee has told Sri Lanka's Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe when he called on the Indian President at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 03, 2013. President Mukherjee further noted that India has always felt that the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka provided a unique opportunity to pursue lasting political settlement, acceptable to all communities. "Sri Lanka must seize the opportunity for genuine national reconciliation and move ahead".2

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka and Pakistan agreed to enhance the level of cooperation and friendship between the two countries at the Foreign Secretary-level Bilateral Political Consultations held in Colombo on April 4, 2013. Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Jalil Abass Jilani led the Pakistan side, while Sri Lanka was represented by Foreign Secretary Karunaratne Amunugama during the talks. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, Sri Lanka government has decided to suspend sending employees to Cyprus due to the economic crisis in that country until the situation improves. According to Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome, Sri Lankan migrant workforce, estimated to be around 25,000, is the second largest foreign workers' community in Cyprus. 4

    The spiritual head of the Drupka Order of Tibetan Buddhism, Gyalwang Drupka, presented a bone relic of the Buddha to President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a gift to Sri Lanka. 5

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