D.B.S.Jeyaraj
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa engaged in talks regarding problems faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka with Tamil National Alliance leader Rajavarothayam Sampanthan yesterday. External Affairs minister Prof.GL Peiris and Presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga were also present at the discussion.
The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere was due to an invitation extended by President Rajapaksa.
Among issues discussed were –
1.Arbitrary acquisition of Lanfds in the North and East
2.Resettlement of People in the North and East on lands and dwellings where they lived previously
3. Reduction of military personnel stationed in the North and East
4.Minimizing visible presence of the armed forces in the North and East by confinement of troops to barracks.
5.Release of all Tamil political prisoners
6.Ensuring a free and fair election in the Northern Province
President Rajapaksa assured the TNA leader at the beginning and end of discussions that he very much desired to resolve all outstanding grievances and problems related to ethnic relations concerning the Tamil people.
TNA leader Sampanthan reiterated the TNA’s commitment to a viable and durable solution to the Tamil national question within the framework of a united and undivided Sri Lanka .
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