India throws its weight behind fresh Govt-TNA dialogue

India has declared its support for the Sri Lankan government entering into a dialogue with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

The TNA recently accepted an invitation from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to initiate a dialogue amidst the deepening economic crisis. The two parties discussed a four-point plan to improve bilateral relations and also to back economic recovery efforts, initiated by the government.

The Indian High Commission in a statement issued yesterday (29) declared New Delhi’s blessings for the latest initiative after the visiting External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met a TNA delegation, led by R. Sampanthan.

The following is the text of the statement issued by the Indian High Commission: “The TNA delegation briefed EAM of the latest developments, focusing on the 25 March meeting between the Government and the TNA. They conveyed that the issues of the release of political prisoners, land utilisation, missing persons, 13th Amendment implementation and diaspora investment were discussed in the meeting. Earlier, the Sri Lankan Government’s engagement with TNA also came up during EAM’s call on the President. The EAM received a more detailed understanding on this subject from Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris later in the evening.

On his part, EAM welcomed in all these interactions the positive developments regarding the issues on the Government-TNA agenda. He emphasized that the Government of India was consistently supportive of the realization of the aspirations of the Tamils of Sri Lanka for equality, justice, peace and dignity within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

The contribution of India’s development partnership to economic recovery in the North and East was also recognized in all the meetings. EAM expressed particular satisfaction at the virtual inauguration of the Jaffna Cultural Centre that he did along with the Prime Minister.

EAM separately met Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Douglas Devananda. They discussed issues pertaining to fishermen and exchanged views on devolution.”