India, Lanka will jointly work for Tamils: Pranab

Colombo, Jan 28: Pranab Mukherjee, the Indian External Affairs Minister is on an emergency visit to Sri Lanka as pressure mounted from Tamil Nadu to look into the safety of Sri Lankan Tamils amid the fierce battle between Army and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Reports suggest that the battle is in the final stage and the civilian casualty is on rise. Pranab who is monitoring the situation said that both India and Sri Lanka will be working together to ensure the safety and security of the Lankan Tamils.

"We will work together with the government of Sri Lanka to enable all Sri Lankans, and particularly the Tamil community who have borne the brunt of the effects of the conflict, to lead normal lives as soon as possible," Pranab said.

The Sri Lankan army through a strong war reduced the LTTE fighting cadres to the jungles of Mullaitivu in the east of the island. Fierce battle is continuing between the army and the rebel tigers. However the fate of more than two lakh civilians holed up in Chalai and Viswamadhu remains uncertain. The Sri Lankan army is advancing on the town of Chalai, which is the last stronghold of the Sea Tigers.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised Pranab that the Lanka will ensure safety of civilians specially Tamil population. He added that the military will respect the civilian zones.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)