Sri Lanka said on Sunday that the relationship between New Delhi and Colombo was "strong," as it dismissed suggestions that there was "pressure" from New Delhi" for an early political solution to the Tamil ethnic problem during the visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris said Sri Lanka is following an independent policy and there is no pressure on us.
"There was no pressure from India. India did not pressurise us and Sri Lanka is following an independent policy with help from India," Peiris told the media.
"The ties between India and Sri Lanka are strong," Peiris said, as he described the four-day landmark visit of Rajapaksa to India as "successful".
Asked about the talks the president had with members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu, the foreign minister said they discussed the 13th constitutional amendment, the political solution and economic aspects.
The Minister said, among other things, India would provide assistance to the tune of $ 250 million for construction of 50,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons in the north and eastern part of the country.
The joint declaration issued at the end of Rajapaksa's visit referred to the major initiative to undertake a programme of construction of 50,000 houses for IDPs in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
The president of Sri Lanka warmly welcomed the offer of Indian support for this programme, it said.
India is also extending about $ 800 million as credit for railway projects, Peiris said. It may be recalled that India is also providing Rs 500 crore as assistance for the upliftment of the IDPs.
India has expressed its willingness to contribute to the reconstruction process through support in various areas.
This includes reviving agriculture, for rebuilding schools, housing and civil infrastructure, for rehabilitating war widows, constructing the cultural centre in Jaffna, setting up vocational training centres and restoring the Duriappa Stadium in the city.
Peiris said India would also extend assistance for the rehabilitation of Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai harbour in Jaffna. He said the work at the harbour would start by the end of this month.
He said the visit from June 7 was a good opportunity for the Sri Lankan president to interact with senior Indian leaders, including his Indian counterpart Prathiba Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
