India, Sri Lanka to build 50,000 houses for IDPs in island-nation
New Delhi, June 9, 2010
India and Sri Lanka today announced a major initiative for the construction of 50,000 houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka with Indian assistance.
At talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here, India also said it would take up several projects for the reconstruction of the island-nation's North and East, including the rebuilding of railway infrastructure and rehabilitation of the Kankesanthurai harbour and Palaly airport.
The measures also include the construction of a cultural centre in Jaffna and several vocational training centres, renovation of the Duraiappah stadium and rehabilitation of war widows, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao told journalists after the talks between the two delegations.
In order to assist setting up of the NTPC-CEB joint venture of a 500 MW Thermal Power Plant at Trincomalee in Eastern Sri Lanka, India will extend a line of credit of $ 200 million. The relevant agreements to set up the power plant will be concluded within three months, Ms Rao said.
She said the two sides had also signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study for the inter-connection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids.
Ms Rao said both countries had decided to resume the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between Thalaimannar and Rameswaram in keeping with the desire to restore traditional links between the two countries.
She said India would also also establish Consulates General in Jaffna and Hambantota.
The two leaders noted the progress achieved under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and agreed that it would be timely to build on this achievement through a more comprehensive framework of economic cooperation. They have directed officials to hold intensive consultations on such a framework.
The two sides agreed to launch a CEOs Forum to involve the business community in a dialogue to generate ideas to deepen and broaden the bilateral economic partnership.
Another significant initiative announced by the two leaders was the India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative. Under it, the Government of India will support the University of Colombo to establish a Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies.
India has announced a major expansion of its scholarship programmes in Sri Lanka. It will assist in English language education in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the newly-established Sri Lanka-India Centre for English Language Training at Kandy and its regional and provincial centres.
India will also provide technical assistance for the Presidential initiative on Trilingual Society in Sri Lanka and collaborate in the establishment of a research institute on agriculture in the Northern Province, Ms Rao said.
Dr Singh and Mr Rajapaksa agreed that the 2600th Year of the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha (Sumbuddhatva Jayanthi) would be commemorated through joint activities. India has also agreed to assist in the restoration of the Tiruketheeswaram Temple at Mannar, Sri Lanka.
In order to explore way to strengthen the safety and security of fishermen, the two sides agreed to resume the discussions under the Joint Working Group on Fishing and promote contacts between the fishermens association on both sides.
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its support for the candidature of India as a Permanent Member of an expanded UN Security Council, as also for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-2012.
Mr Rajapaksa, who arrived here yesterday on a State Visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.
The Sri Lankan President is accompanied by Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa and a high-level delegation, including three Cabinet Ministers.
Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj and ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi were amonst those who called on him today. He also met a delegation of members of Parliament (MPs) from Tamil Nadu this afternoon.
Mr Rajapaksa had a one-on-one meeting with Dr Singh, followed by delegation-level talks between the two sides, after which seven agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed.
Ms Rao said the talks between Dr Singh and Mr Rajapaksa were wide-ranging and encompassed a range of issues reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the bilateral relationship.
She said the two leaders shared their vision of the future of India-Sri Lanka relations and agreed that President Rajapaksas visit provided an opportunity to lay the foundation for a forward-looking comprehensive agenda for bilateral engagement.
Dr Singh emphasised that Sri Lankas emergence from decades of conflict offered a historic opportunity to spearhead an era of reconciliation where all communities can come together to realise a political settlement.
The Prime Minister also observed that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would create the necessary conditions for this purpose. In particular, he emphasised the need for urgent steps to resettle the remaining IDPs and urged Sri Lanka to undertake speedy rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka.
Dr Singh also referred to the extensive assistance being provided by India for these efforts including Rs.500 crores as grant and about US$ 800 million as lines of credit for railway projects.
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