Menon talks reconciliation efforts, fishermen issues with SL

National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, who held talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well as the leader of the main Tamil party TNA, R Sampanthan, said after the meetings that while reconciliation was a "Sri Lankan issue", India was willing to provide all possible assistance in this regard.

Menon said that India had always stood for a "united Sri Lanka" within which all citizens can live in equality, justice, dignity and self-respect, and New Delhi has worked closely with the government here in areas of rehabilitation and resettlement of the war displaced.

"I discussed recent developments, bilateral relations and areas of common concern. I was also briefed about steps being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka on political reconciliation and settlement. While this is a Sri Lankan issue and something that Sri Lanka has to do, we will continue to remain engaged with all concerned and offer any support required in this regard," he told media in an interaction.

India has been urging the Rajapaksa regime to fully implement the 13th amendment that provides for devolution of power to Tamil-dominated areas, as an urgent measure to achieve reconciliation with the Tamil minority.

Menon, who has earlier acted as the Indian High Commissioner here, arrived last night. He also held talks with Minister of Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa, and Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, during his whistle stop visit.

"My visit to Sri Lanka today has been in the context of regular consultations and exchange of views between the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka," he said.

Menon also discussed the contentious issue of the treatment of fishermen who inadvertently cross territorial waters.(MORE)