A joint Security Committee between India and Sri Lanka established

Presidential Secretariat has revealed that a security committee, consisting of state officials of both India and Sri Lanka, has been established to study and report matters connected with security. This committee was established following an analysis on the current political situation of Sri Lanka by two top delegations from India and Sri Lanka on September 3rd and 4th in New Delhi.

 

The Lankan delegation comprised of Secretary to the President, Lalith Weerathunga, Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapakse and Senior Advisor to the President, Basil Rajapakse while Indian govt. was represented by the Defence Secretary, Vijai Singh, Foreign Secretary, Shiv Shankar Menon and National Defence Advisor, K.R. Narayanan.

During the course of discussion between the special Sri Lankan delegation and the Indian authorities, issues such as Sri Lankan current situation, Development of Eastern province, Humanitarian operations that are currently taking place in the North and elimination of terrorism to pave the way for devolution of powers as a solution to the ethnic crises were taken up as matters of importance. The Sri Lankan delegation appraised the Indian authorities on the measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government to find a lasting solution to the ethnic issue.

 

The news release further states that Indian authorities committed to safeguard Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and honour, while expressing hope that a solution to the ethnic issue would be found without delay.