Wigneswaran hopeful of talks

Wednesday, 9 October 2013 01:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Newly-elected Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran sounded optimistic yesterday on talks resuming between the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Government on addressing Tamil issues. Addressing the media in Jaffna after meeting Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, the former Supreme Court Judge said that the global outlook raised hopes on positive talks taking place with the Government in the future. “Although past talks failed, it does not mean talks in the future cannot be positive,” he said. He also said that by him taking oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa this week, the friction that existed between the Government and the TNA had greatly reduced. Wigneswaran said that Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had also echoed these views and had noted that it augurs well for the future. Direct talks between the Government and the TNA were suspended after the TNA rejected Government calls for the Tamil party to join the Parliamentary Select Committee to reach a political solution. Meanwhile, Khurshid had expressed the view that India would assist the new Council to address issues faced by Tamils in the north, Wigneswaran said. “India feels issues can be resolved only by having discussions with the Government. India is ready to assist us in that respect. The Indian Minister had also noted that we should solve our own problems. They will only offer assistance,” he said. Wigneswaran said he also discussed the fishermen issue with the Indian Minister and both agreed that there needed to be talks between fishermen from both countries to reach a solution. (Colombo Gazette)