India asks SL to make a new beginning

With the war in Sri Lanka getting over, India today asked Colombo to utilise the opportunity to make a "new beginning" and build a better future for the countrymen, including ethnic Tamils, through an inclusive political process.

With the war in Sri Lanka getting over, India today asked Colombo to utilise the opportunity to make a "new beginning" and build a better future for the countrymen, including ethnic Tamils, through an inclusive political process.

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External Affairs Minister SM Krishna, in a statement in Parliament, said India stands ready to extend every possible assistance in the task of rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction and in this regard, will deploy four demining teams as an immediate step.

"The cessation of hostilities gives Sri Lanka an opportunity to make a new beginning and to build a better future for all her peoples and therefore for the region as a whole," he said in the statements in the two Houses.

"We are convinced that a closure to the cycle of violence and terrorism that has plagued Sri Lanka requires an inclusive political process of dialogue and devolution," he said.

He said such a process must address the "legitimate aspirations" of the minorities, including the Tamil community, within the democratic framework of a united Sri Lanka.

"We are very particular that 13th amendment, which means that devolution of power, is an article of faith. They (Sri Lanka) also said that not only 13th amendment but 13th amendment plus," he said, adding "We have to trust them. We hope that they will act in days to come".