Sri Lankan foreign minister calls on Manmohan

New Delhi, June 22: Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera today assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that despite the grave provocations and violations by the LTTE, Colombo was observing the Cease Fire Agreement and reaffirmed that the Sri Lankan Government was committed to a negotiated political solution to the ethnic problem.

Mr Samaraweera, who held an hour long meeting with the Prime Minister apprised Dr Singh the latest political situation as well as the progress in the peace process. He said several developments had taken place after his last visit to New Delhi in May, which ''regrettably have not been conducive to the peace process.'' These developments included refusal of the LTTE to participate in the discussion with the government in Oslo this month at the intiative of Norway, which is facilitating the talks and the intesnsified violence targetting innocent civilians.

He said President Mahinda Rajapakse has reaffirmed the government's commitment to a negotiated political solution based on democracy and human rights that meets the aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka and will preserve the terrotorial integrity of the country. At the same time, the government will continue to take all measures necessary to protect the security of the people and the country.

The Sri Lankan Minister also discussed with the Prime Minister the current progress in the All Party Conference, including the appointment of a multi-ethnic committee of experts to develop the legal provisions, for the realisation of President Rajapakse's vision of a negotiated political solution based on maximum devolution of power in an undivided Sri Lanka.

He also briefed the Indian leadership on the ongoing developments work in the North and East to which a substantial amount of government and donor funds have been committed.

The Indian authorities appreciated the visit of Mr Samaraweera, which enabled continued consultations involving the highest levels of leadership in India and in Sri Lanka.

UNI