India on Tuesday asked Sri Lanka to "seize" the opportunity of achieving genuine national reconciliation through recommendations of a post-war panel, as Colombo assured it of its commitment to resolve the long-standing ethnic conflict by devolving powers to the Tamil-dominated provinces.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa conveyed his government's resolve to implementing the 13th amendment plus approach to
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna who stressed that political settlement of Tamils and a solution that answers the genuine aspirations of the community was the "most important" issue before the country.
Rajapaksa's assurance came as his Foreign Minister G L Peiris rejected reports that the talks with Tamil National Alliance for arriving at a political solution had been called off, saying on the contrary government was focusing on making the dialogue more constructive.
During the 90-minute breakfast meeting, Rajapaksa and Krishna reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties, ways to evolve the political solution to resolve the Tamil question and the progress in relief and rehabilitation of war-displaced Tamil civilians, sources told PTI.
"I discussed this (political solution) matter with His Excellency the President this morning. The President assured me that he stands by his commitment to pursuing the 13th Amendment plus approach," Krishna told a joint media interaction after a one-on-one meeting with his counterpart and delegation-level talks.
At the same time, he said India was looking forward to an expeditious and constructive approach to the dialogue process between the Tamil political grouping TNA and the government.
The 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution envisages devolution of powers to the Tamil-dominated Northern Province, which India feels will meet the "genuine aspirations" of the ethnic Tamils.
Asked whether the President gave any time-frame for the implementation, the Indian minister said the particular aspect was not discussed as it would not be "desirable for him to either suggest or to ask him a time-frame" for resolution of an issue with such complexities.
"It was heartening for me to hear from the President of Sri Lanka that he is committed to the 13th Amendment and that the process will automatically follow," he said.
On recommendations of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, Krishna said: "... when implemented, (they) would mark a major step forward in the process of genuine national reconciliation, to which the Sri Lankan government is committed. Sri Lanka must seize this opportunity".
Peiris, on his part, appealed to the umbrella political grouping TNA to rethink its stand on talks and nominate members to a parliamentary panel that would go into the subject.
The TNA has been maintaining that it would not send its nominees to the Parliamentary Committee as it feels it would be of no use when the talks are stuck over its demand for relagating land and police powers to the provices.
Peiris said focus should now be on implementation and both sides can move towards a set of proposals that could be implemented. "We can make the talks a success. The condition for success is inclusive. If talks exclude most areas of the political opinion of the country, there is no spirit of inclusiveness," he said.
Noting that India is committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, Krishna said it is the country's hope that the vision and leadership that resulted in an end to armed conflict will now be employed in the quest for a genuine political reconciliation.
"We look forward to progress in the ongoing dialogue process, in order to address this issue in a timely manner. We will continue to work with the government of Sri Lanka, and help in whatever way we can, to take this process forward, in a spirit of partnership and cooperation," he said.
India looks forward to an expeditious and constructive approach to the dialogue process, Krishna said and added that New Delhi believes continuation of the dialogue between the government and TNA would pave way for political settlement, including under the rubric of the Parliamentary Committee.
However, the TNA has been opposing formation of the committee and has made it clear it will not name its nominees. Krishna also noted that Sri Lanka has on many occasions conveyed to India its commitment to move towards a political settlement based on the full implementation of the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, and building on it, so as to achieve meaningful devolution of powers.
The minister also raised the "emotive issue" of Indian fishermen and emphasised the need that this should be handled with care on both sides.
"As we explore possible solutions, we must ensure that there is no use of force against the fishermen and that they are treated in a humane manner," he said.
