Leaders of Tamil National alliance meet Krishna in Lanka

Colombo, Jan 16 (ANI): A delegation of Tamil MPs from Tamil National alliance met visiting Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna here on Monday.

The Tamil National alliance delegation, which met Krishna, was led by R. Sampantha. Mavai Sanathirajan, Suresh Premchandran, MA Sumanthiran,elvam Adaikalanathan and Pon Selvarasa were part of the delegation that met the Indian External Affairs Minister.

Tamil National Alliance is an amalgamation of Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka, which is in dialogue with the Rajapaksa Government for reconciliation, devolution of powers and rehabilitation of internally displaced people.

It is a powerful minority Sri Lankan Tamil political alliance in Sri Lanka. It was formed as an amalgamation of moderate Tamil parties as well as number of former rebel groups. It has participated in elections since 2001.

The alliance originally supported self-determination in an autonomous state for the island's Tamils, but dropped the demand for an independent state in 2010, saying that it is ready to accept regional self-rule.

Krishna, who began his four-day bilateral visit to Sri Lanka today, was received by Sri Lankan Foreign Minister GL Peries on his arrival at International Airport Katunayake here.

The visit comes in the backdrop of the recently released report on lessons learnt and reconciliation commission and conclusion of the latest round of joint working group on fisheries.

During his Lanka tour, Krishna will review the progress made on deliverables on which the two countries zeroed down during his 2010 visit to the island nation.

Krishna will call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister DM Jayaratne and hold talks with his Lankan counterpart.

The External Affairs Minister will also be discussing whole gamut of bilateral issues including 13th amendment and devolution of powers with top political leadership in Sri Lanka during his visit. (ANI)