India tells Sri Lanka to find political solution to conflict

New Delhi, Oct 18 (UNI) In the midst of the deterioraing humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka and India's growing concern over it, President of the Island country Mahindra Rajapakse today telephoned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the developments.

The Prime Minister asked the Sri Lankan President to ensure that the safety of the Tamil community was not jeopardised in the ongoing hostilities against the LTTE, and stressed that a political solution of the conflict was urgently needed.

He also asked him to instruct the Sri Lankan Navy to desist from firing on Indian fishermen and reiterated that killing of fishermen was unacceptable.

Both the Leaders agreed to work on practical arrangements to prevent such incidents.

The Prime Minister said that, in order to address the humanitarian situation, continued and uninterrupted relief supplies should be ensured for the Internally Displaced Persons.

President Rajapakse assured Dr Singh that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure the safety and well being of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

Dr Singh reiterated that there was no military solution to the conflict and urged the President to start a political process for a peacefully negotiated political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka .

He also emphasised the need to nurture the democratic process in the Eastern Province.

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