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India will call on Sri Lanka to take tangible steps to reconcile Tamils says Alan Keenan

The Sri Lanka analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG) Alan Keenan, speaking to Duetsche Welle, said that India will call on President Maithripala Sirisena to “take tangible steps towards meaningful reconciliation with Tamils, particularly in the north and east of Sri Lanka.”

Commenting on Sirisena’s trip to meet India, Mr Keenan, noting that the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), had “limited constitutional powers,” added that India would urge Sri Lanka’s new government to cooperate with the elected Northern Provincial Council, develop its powers and “provide relief to Tamils in the north and east, through the release of land occupied by the Sri Lankan military.”

Mr Keenan further noted that, the trip would also extensively focus bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka, with India looking to fortify economic cooperation and trade agreements whilst Sri Lanka would look to garner India’s support at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Keenan's comments come as the issue of reconciliation with Tamils in the North-East was not mentioned in the first joint press release of the two heads of state.

Indian Prime Minister holds talks with Sri Lankan President in Delhi  (16 Feb 2015)

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