'PM's observations on SL augurs well for renewed friendship'

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's positive observations on Sri Lanka winning the war against LTTE augurs well for a "renewed friendship" between the two countries which were "somewhat strained" during the last phase of the civil war, the state media commented today.  

During an interaction at the 15th Non-Aligned Summit at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt on Thursday, Singh had told Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that he had won the war against the LTTE and can now also win the peace.  

"It (positive observations) is also a significant gesture on the part of the Indian leader that would go a long way in eliminating all doubts and misunderstandings vis a vis Indo-Lanka relations during the latter stages of war where many perceived that India would step into halt the offensive," the state-owned Daily News said.  

In an editorial, the paper shared that the confidence expressed by Singh in "Rajapaksa being able to win peace for Sri Lanka in the same way he won against terrorism is gratifying indeed".  

"It reflects the admiration for the President (Rajapaksa) by world leaders of this achievement while many powerful nations were still grappling with terrorism."

"Sentiments of the Indian leader certainly augurs well for a fresh understanding and a renewed friendship between the two countries which was somewhat strained during the height of the conflict in Sri Lanka".

Singh also said Rajapaksa's enormous talent should help solve the long drawn out issue in Sri Lanka permanently.  

The Indian prime minister's sentiments have put paid to all thoughts that such designs ever existed and Indo-Lanka relations can now proceed as smooth as ever with a confidence vote passed on President Rajapaksa by no lesser personage than the Indian leader himself, the editorial added.  

"The Centre (the Indian government) was hamstrung by domestic compulsions having to make some noises to placate Tamil Nadu sentiments in the backdrop of a general election. This more than anything resulted in India's sometimes unwarranted interest in Sri Lanka's affairs that irked a majority of Sri Lankans," the newspaper said.

"The continuous arrival of Indian politicians, the diplomatic shuttling during the last stages of the war made this feeling more pronounced among a majority," it added.  

"However, such fears have now proved unfounded. The Indian Premier has in no uncertain terms given the President the thumbs up for defeating terrorism which could also have impinged on the security of the Indian State given the new phenomenon of cross border terrorism," the newspaper said.