'SL committed to peace in the beleagured state'

Panaji, Oct 30: Pooh-poohing a section of the ''superficial'' media reports that talks with separatists in Geneva failed, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India C R Jayasinghe said his government was committed to restoring peace in the beleagured nation through negotiations even as efforts are underway to boost tourism in the scenic island nation.

''Efforts to declare ceasefire through negotiated solution and de-escalation of violence continue unabated despite encountering constraints in the process. We are committed to peace through political process ensuring equitable solution to all communities,'' he said.

Norway had been trying to ''facilitate'' talks but the rivals apparently did not want peace for various reasons. ''We have no differences with India in so far as ending the violence and arriving at equitable solution to the ethinic crisis is concerned,'' he said.

Interacting with the media at a function to mark the launch of the bi-weekly flight services from Sri Lanka to Goa here today, Mr Jayasinghe said the recent spurt in violence, confined to only some parts of the North and the East, had to some extent affected tourism.

Denying suggestion that Sri Lanka was emerging as a ''hub for terrorists'', Mr Jayasinghe said he was not aware of such a report but added that ''our government would handle it with firm hand.'' On the other hand, he said Sri Lanka had become a strong ''hub for international shipping promoting economy of the nation over the years through waterways communication''.

With the consent of the Indian government and Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka continued to take care of the rehabilitation of the displaced migrants who continued to flee the island nation whenever violence erupted even recently.

''We are for their total rehabilitation and repatriation at the earliest. We expect a day soon for the return of the displaced ensuring their dignified integration with the natives,'' Mr Jayasinghe said.

''But the violence and the Tsunami has not affected the foreign tourist flow much and no harm was done to any foreigner. The separatist groups are aware that they should not touch foreigners as it affects tourism industry,'' he said.

There were as many as 400,000 tourist arrivals before the current bout of violence and it was expected to touch half a million next year and 700,000 arrivals in a few years.

India and Sri Lanka, he said, had been working together for a win-win partnership in promoting tourism. The Colombo-Goa direct flight was a right step in this direction to explore the mutual strengths in tourism.

Goa and Sri Lanka, he said, shared common heritage of Portuguese culture and Catholicism and bilateral relations would further enhance through contemplated programmes of exchange of scholars, artistes and scientists.

Sri Lanka would reciprocate the gesture of chief minister of Goa Pratapsingh Rane who received the inaugural Srilanka-Goa flight today at the Dhabolim international airport, he added.

UNI