New Delhi, June 7 (IANS) The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Monday urged the government to tell Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to for an early political settlement of the Tamil issue during his India visit starting Tuesday.
The CPI-M said in a statement that the visit would be an occasion to reaffirm ‘the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka’.
But ‘the government should impress upon the president the need for an expeditious political settlement of the Tamil question which would involve the devolution of powers and autonomy for the Tamil-speaking areas.
‘Such a political solution will strengthen the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka.’
It said that of the 300,000 people displaced by the war and in relief camps, around 80,000 had not returned to their homes.
‘A speedy rehabilitation of the displaced, ensuring their means of livelihood and their security should be a major priority,’ it said.
‘India, which is also providing assistance to this process, can discuss ways to speed up the rehabilitation.’
