05/12/2010, 00.00
SRI LANKA
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Indian High Commissioner: war refugees must return to their villages

by Melani Manel Perera
Cordial meeting in Colombo between Archbishop Ranjith and Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha. Reiterated the need to send home the many refugees of the long civil war. Kantha confirms India’s staunch support and hopes a future settlement of the Tamil-.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Concern for the resettlement and living standards of the victims of civil war and economic development of Sri Lanka. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka, spoke of the plight of the country, during his visit on May 7, with Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith in Colombo. He augured that the mutual trust between the two states will result in greater collaboration.

Kantha, during his meeting with the Archbishop said that "there is a high degree of mutual trust between India and Sri Lanka. Now Sri Lanka has a unique opportunity to open a new chapter and continue the country's development. Now the war is over, but there are big challenges to the development of the country and the rapid resettlement [of war refugees]. There is a great desire of the people of the north and east to return to their villages. " He added that "India is ready to support and aid to Sri Lanka in an effort to develop the country and in the resettlement program. We trust that President Mahinda Rajapaksa to carry out "these programs.

Archbishop Ranjith in turn expressed the conviction that "the government should give aid and support to the Tamil community so they can return to their homeland and return a new life."

"India is our immediate neighbour, said the prelate - and especially in recent years, relations between the two countries have become much closer and more solid than ever and Sri Lanka has often turned to India to get help in various matters. The war is over but we need to find a political solution for the Tamil community and address its needs. "

Archbishop Ranjith has criticized the contrasts between the political parties that have held up a peaceful resettlement whenever discussed the Tamil question. "But now the government must unite all parties and find a solution to the Tamil community. I hope that India will continue to support the efforts of Sri Lanka in this matter ".

According to the website of the archdiocese, the meeting was held in a climate of great cordiality with mutual expressions of appreciation for the social and political role played.

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