Krishna discusses bilateral issues with Rajapaksa

Colombo, Jan 17 (ANI): India's External Affairs Minister, S M Krishna, met Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa here and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest to both countries.

Krishna is also expected to hold talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris on the issue of the problems confronting the Tamils, repatriation of fishermen held in each other's territory and a pact to jointly develop fisheries. He would also hold talks with Sri Lankan Prime Minister D M Jayaratne.

During his meeting with the leaders of the Tamil National Alliance on Monday Krishna had assured that India was committed to ensure that a way is devised to resolve the problems of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

During his four-day visit, Krishna is expected to review the progress made on deliverables on which the two countries zeroed down during his last visit to the island nation.

Krishna would also visit Kilinochchi and Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka to assess the progress made in the projects that were being undertaken with the assistance of the Government of India and is also expected to hand over the first lot of housing units at Ariyali, Jaffna.

The Foreign Minister will also be visiting Galle in southern Sri Lanka where he is expected to inaugurate a segment of the Southern Railway project implemented under a Line of Credit extended by India.

Krishna is expected to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on housing and agreements on railways, telecommunication and agricultures will also be discussed.

On several occasions in the past Indian Government had condemned Sri Lanka over its use of force against Indian fishermen.

India has been asking the Sri Lankan Navy to scale down its strong presence in Indian Waters, as it would prove beneficial for both the nations. (ANI)