Q.447. Visit of Sri Lankan President

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the recent visit of the Hon’ble President of Sri Lanka;
(b) the details of the agreements signed by the two countries during the visits;
(c) whether India has committed itself to take part in the rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamil people who were devastated during the war between LTTE and Sri Lankan Government; and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (d) President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka visited India from June 8-11, 2010. A Joint Declaration was issued by both the sides covering a range of issues. The President of Sri Lanka expressed appreciation for India’s substantial assistance to Sri Lanka for the humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs. In addition to the generous Lines of Credit extended to Sri Lanka, India also announced a major initiative to undertake a programme to construct 50,000 houses for the IDPs in Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. India emphasised the importance of a meaningful devolution package building upon the 13th Amendment, for a lasting political settlement. The President of Sri Lanka reiterated his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities.
Several bilateral initiatives were taken, including reiteration of India’s support for various projects in Northern & Eastern Sri Lanka including railway line, harbour rehabilitation, joint venture thermal power plant at Trincomalee, Jaffna cultural centre, stadium, vocational training centres, etc. Both India & Sri Lanka agreed to resume the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and Talaimannar and Rameshwaram and also agreed for the establishment of Consulates General of India in Jaffna and Hambantota. There was a mutual commitment to enhancing connectivity, promote greater economic engagement, agricultural cooperation and closer developmental cooperation and launch an India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative.

The following MoUs/Agreement/Treaty were signed during the visit:

i) Renewal of MoU on Indian Grant Assistance for Implementation of Small Development Schemes between India and Sri Lanka;
ii) MoU on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners;
iii) Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters;
iv) MoU on Setting up of a Women’s Trade Facilitation Centre & Community Learning Centre at Batticaloa;
v) Renewal of Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP);
vi) Mou On Interconnection of Electricity Grids; and
vii) MoU on Talaimannar-Madhu Railway Line

http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220116258.

Rajya Sabha