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Friday, February 20, 2009 - 5.31 GMT |
Pranab's
statement at Lok Sabha
Proof
of Indo-Lanka best relations |
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The statement made by Pranab Mukherjee at
the Lok Sabha is a testimony of excellent
relations between India and Sri Lanka today
and is much appreciated by the government of
Sri Lanka said Minister of Disaster
Management and Human Rights Mahinda
Samarasinghe.
"We are very grateful to the Indian
government through its Foreign Minister
Pranab Mukherjee for keeping the Lok Sabha
informed of the actual situation in the
Wanni," Minister Samarsinghe told media at
the Presidential Secretariat today.
Indian Foreign Minister speaking at the Lok
Sabha on Februay 18 said there are around
70,000 civilians still estimated to be
trapped in an area of about 150 sq km still
under control of the Tamil Tigers.
Indian Foreign Minister further said LTTE
has done much damage to Tamil community and
it should release all civilians and lay down
arms for the interest of Tamil community.
Quoting the Indian Minister who said some of
those escaping from the conflict have been
caught in crossfire and, in recent incidents
have been stopped and even killed by LTTE
cadres, Minister Samarasinghe said that this
is what the government has been telling over
and over again that the Sri Lanka Army has
no desire whatsoever to target civilians.
"Our fight is not with the civilians. It is
with the LTTE to eliminate terrorism from
the country. The Indian Foreign Minister not
only has understood this very
comprehensively but also communicated this
understanding to the entire Lok Sbha,"
Minister Samarasinghe added.
He said: "From the part of the Sri Lankan
government, we will keep the Indian
government informed about the actual
situation. We are indeed very much
appreciative of this very clear statement
made by the Indian Foreign Minister."
According to the Minister 35, 890 civilians
have crossed over to the government
controlled areas so far and to date 90
metric tons of foodstuff and medical
supplies have been dispatched to Wanni.
There is another shipment leaving tonight
taking another 40 metric tons of food and
other essential items.
"This is a commitment the government is
willing to continue with...to ensure that
there is adequate food and medicine for the
people coming from LTTE held areas," the
Minister said.
Asked about positioning long range weapons,
the Minister said the Army has taken a
conscious decision not to use their heavy
weapons even though the LTTE is firing with
their heavy weapons.
"We will find a way to liberate civilians
trapped in LTTE held areas. We are
discussing with various groups about ways
and means of getting them out," he said.
The Minister said the government continues
to asking its bilateral partners, the UN and
the Tamil Diaspora to bring about pressure
on the LTTE to let go of the civilians whom
they are using as human shields.
Speaking at the media briefing Prof. Rajiv
Wijesinghe, Secretary General of the Peace
Secretariat and the Secretary to the
Ministry of Disaster Management and Human
Rights said the allegations of massive
civilian deaths in uncleared areas by Human
Rights Watch, Amnesty International and
various other groups are completely being
picked up from the pro-LTTE TamilNet
website.
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