Tamil issue to dominate Rajapaksa's talks with Indian leaders

New Delhi, Jun 8 (PTI) Sri Lankan President Mahinda
Rajapaksa is expected to brief the leadership here about the
post-war political reconciliation plan for Tamils during his
visit, which will also see inking of pacts to deepen ties in
key areas, including counter-terrorism.

Rajapaksa, who arrived here Tuesday on a four-day visit,
will hold delegation-level talks with Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on Wednesday during which the two leaders are
expected to discuss steps taken for early resettlement and
rehabilitation of displaced Tamils and ways to enhance
cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
Rajapaksa, who is visiting India after his sweeping
electoral victories, also met the Pro-LTTE Tamil National
Alliance (TNA) hours before his departure.
The political situation in the post-war scenario,
particularly the issues related to re-settlement of the
displaced Tamil civilians, and efforts by the government to
find a consensus on a political solution to the ethnic
conflict are expected to dominate the parleys between Singh
and Sri Lankan President.
India is expected to press for an expeditious
resettlement of estimated 70,000 displaced Tamils, who are
still in relief camps even after a year of Sri Lankan army
crushing the insurgency led by LTTE.
Although it had promised to resettle all 300,000 war
displaced within six months of defeating the LTTE, the
deadline has been extended by August by Rajapaksa government
for closure of relief camps housing the refugees.
The two leaders are also expected to take up the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to give
boost to the economic ties between the two countries.
The agreements are likely to be in the areas of
counter terrorism, transfer of sentenced prisoners, and for
mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
Rajapaksa will also go to Shimla on Thursday before
returning to Colombo on Friday. PTI PYK
MYR