The Indian Foreign Secretary, Vijay Gokhale met with the Tamil National Alliance delegation led by its Leader and the Leader of the Opposition R Sampanthan, Friday (13) in Colombo.
Briefing the Foreign Secretary, Sampanthan pointed out that the new Constitution must be adopted before the Provincial Council elections. He said, the chances of mustering a two thirds majority in Parliament is possible and therefore the new Constitution must be adopted before the end of the year.
“We cannot afford to miss this opportunity”, said Sampanthan. Further speaking, he said “we want a solution within a united, undivided and indivisible Sri Lanka and this longstanding national question must be addressed through a new Constitution”.
Sampanthan stressed that the new Constitution must enable people to exercise power over day to day matters pertaining to their life. He highlighted that the features mentioned in the Indo Sri Lanka agreement must be incorporated in the new Constitution
Sampanthan also requested the Foreign Secretary to encourage Indian investors to invest in Sri Lanka, especially, in the North and East. He pointed out that the foreign investments could boost the economic status of the people and would increase job opportunities in the North and East, especially, among the youth.
On the issue of refugees returning from India, the Indian Foreign Secretary conveyed the message that the Government of India is willing to give any support in assisting the returnees.
Along with Sampanthan, parliamentarians M. A. Sumanthiran and Selvam Adaikkalanathan were present at the meeting. The Foreign Secretary was accompanied by the Indian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Taranjit Singh and other senior officials.