Gulbin Sultana replies: The Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm, also known as the China Bay Oil Tank Farm, was built by the British in the 1930s to supply fuel to Royal Navy ships during the Second World War. The British continued to control the oil farm comprising 99 tanks until the Sri Lankan Government took it over in 1957. Each of the existing 99 tanks can contain 12,000 tonnes of fuel.
India’s stand at the United Nations Human Rights Council on the resolution relating to human rights situation in Sri Lanka should be based on its long-term interests in the teardrop island.
Ashok Kumar Behuria replies: The Colombo Port City project, initially set into motion in 2011, gathered momentum only after China expressed its interest in it by 2013. In September 2014, during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit, it was decided bilaterally that China would invest $1.4 billion to reclaim about 233 hectares of land from the sea, between the southern edge of the new Colombo South Port and the Fort Lighthouse, to build hotels, apartments, office buildings, a F1 track and a golf course.
Gulbin Sultana replies: Both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen have been fishing in the Palk Bay for centuries. Problem emerged only after the maritime agreement was signed by India and Sri Lanka in 1974. In fact, initially the 1974 agreement did not affect fishing on either side of the maritime border. In 1976, through exchange of letters, both India and Sri Lanka agreed not to engage in fishing activities into each other’s waters.
India should play a proactive role in assisting Sri Lanka in the fisheries sector and in creating conditions in the Palk Bay for the fishermen of both countries to exploit the respective fishing potential amicably.
Gulbin Sultana replies: India is committed to assisting Sri Lanka in its effort to rebuild the country in the post-war period. India has allocated Rs.500 crore from the Union Budget for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and for reconstruction projects in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka. The assistance was provided in three phases.
Gulbin Sultana replies: There is no difference between the 13th and 13A Amendment. For details on 13th Amendment (13 A) and also for India’s stand on the same, please refer to my earlier replies posted in this section (click here and click here)
Growing international concerns about human rights violations in the last phase of the Eelam war and the continued surveillance and intimidation of the Tamils in Sri Lanka have drawn the attention of their co-ethnics across the world. The southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which had detached itself from the political events in Sri Lanka after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, has renewed its interest. In the post-war phase, the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils has become an emotive issue.
Sri Lanka’s Fighter Selection – An Opportunity for India
From all angles – political, economic, diplomatic and military – India is in a position to meet the SLAF’s potential combat aircraft requirements.