Modi to discuss Lankan refugee repatriation during Colombo visit

Saturday, 24 January 2015 03:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NIE: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be discussing the repatriation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to their homeland in his talks with the Lankan leaders when he visits the island nation soon, the Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told newsmen here on Thursday. More than 100,000 Lankan Tamil refugees are living in camps across Tamil Nadu which are being maintained with funds from the Tamil Nadu and Central governments.

No date has been fixed for Modi’s visit to Lanka, but media reports from New Delhi had said that it will take place in March. Among other subjects Modi will discuss here will be Indian participation in the building of a double track rail link between Colombo and Kandy; the construction of 4,000 houses for Indian Origin Tamils working in tea plantations in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts; the resumption of ferry services between Talaimannar and Rameswaram, and between Colombo and Thoothukudi; the problems faced by Indian fishermen in the Palk Strait; increasing direct flights between the two countries, and the promotion of India-Lanka trade and investment. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had told Modi during his recent visit to New Delhi that Lanka “is in readiness to accord him a warm welcome.” On the fishermen’s’ issue, Cabinet Spokesman Senaratne said while it is an issue of the Indian fishermen’s livelihood, the two countries will also have to take into account the fact that it is illegal to cross the international maritime boundary line and poach. “However a settlement has to be found through discussions,” he added. On the long-delayed India-Lanka project to generate 500 mw of power at Sampur in Eastern Lanka, the Minister of Power and Energy, Patali Champika Ranawaka, said that the environmental impact report is awaited. Once it gets environmental clearance, the coal fired power plant will be built, he assured.