Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM deeply concerned about welfare and wellbeing of Tamil community in Srilanka

Prime  Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that he was deeply concerned about the welfare and the wellbeing of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister conveyed to the visiting Tamil National AllIance (TNA) delegation that he was dismayed by reports suggesting that the Government of Sri Lanka planned to dilute certain key provisions of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution ahead of elections to the Northern Provincial Council.

The visiting Tamil National Alliance (TNA) delegation called on the Prime Minister today.

It was noted that the proposed changes raised doubts about the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government to India and the international community, including the United Nations, on a political settlement in Sri Lanka that would go beyond the 13th Amendment. The changes would also be incompatible with the recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), set up by the Government of Sri Lanka, calling for a political settlement based on the devolution of power to the provinces.

The Prime Minister stated that he was deeply concerned about the welfare and wellbeing of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. He stressed on the expectation that the Sri Lankan Tamil community would lead a life of dignity, as equal citizens, and reiterated that India would make every effort to ensure the achievement of a future for the community marked by equality, justice and self-respect.