Manmohan, Rajapakse discuss Lanka peace process

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse today told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that a devolution package was being worked out to bring peace to the island nation.

Steps are being taken through an all party representative committee to prepare a devolution package as part of the peace process in Sri Lanka, Mr Rajapakse said.

During the more than hour-long meeting, Dr Singh conveyed India's stated position that a negotiated political settlement acceptable to all sections of society should be found to the long-standing ethnic problem.

According to an External Affairs Ministry spokesman, there was broad exchange of views on the peace process between the two leaders who also took stock of the bilateral relations.

The meeting assumed significance in view of the upsurge in violence in Sri Lanka.

According to reports, Mr Rajapakse told External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday that an interim proposal for devolution of powers would be presented by the middle of next month. Depending on the reaction, it would then be formalised.

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