Swaraj to lead parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj will lead a fourteen-member Parliament delegation to Sri Lanka on Monday to study the alleged human rights violation during the operations against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the north eastern province of the island nation.

The delegation shall also interact with the top leadership of Sri Lanka.

This delegation comprises members of nine political parties: Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Biju Janata Dal and Janata Dal-United.

There are nine MPs from Lok Sabha while six are from the Rajya Sabha. Interestingly, seven Tamil members are included in the delegation, which has generated negative feelings from the Sri Lankan side.

The Sri Lankan side expects fire works from DMK and AIADMK delegates who might not participate in hospitalities like luncheon and banquets, as a symbolic gesture.

Salient features of discussions during the meeting will be UN resolution, explain compulsions of coalition politics, reiterate stand against all forms of terror, stress on continuing good relations, fishermen issue, etc.

Ministry of External Affairs is also planning to send a joint secretary to coordinate the proceedings, when Sushma Swaraj  led-delegation is in Colombo.