The President of Sri Lanka reiterated his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities, the Minister said at the Lok Sabha yesterday (25).

India has deployed seven de-mining teams in Northern Sri Lanka, besides a number of other assistance projects for the people affected by the conflict. The Government of India has provided extensive assistance to people affected by the conflict which includes a Rs.500 crore for relief, rehabilitation and resettlement in Sri Lanka, he said.

"India has sent three consignments of 2600 MT each of shelter material; distributed 70,000 agricultural starter packs to revive agricultural activities; gifted 55 buses to the Northern, Eastern and Central provinces; conducted an artificial limb fitment camp in Northern Sri Lanka for internally displaced persons and has also gifted 4 lakh cement bags for resettling IDP families to assist them repair damaged houses," he said.

He further said as humanitarian relief, India has dispatched 2.5 lakh family relief packs which were mobilised by the Tamil Nadu government and deployed an emergency field hospital for six months.

"India has also announced construction of 50,000 houses of the IDPs in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. India is assisting Sri Lanka in several projects in Northern and Eastern Provinces, including railway infrastructure, Kankasanthrai harbour, a thermal power plant at Trincomalee, cultural centre in Jaffna, Duraiappa stadium, vocational centres, agricultural sector etc.," Krishna said.