July 5, 2013, 9:32 pm


Minister Rajapaksa with Indian External Affairs Minister Khurshid


BY S VENKAT NARAYAN Our Special Correspondent


NEW DELHI, July 5: India today welcomed Sri Lanka’s announcement about the conduct of elections to the Northern Province.


Visiting Sri Lankan Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa met Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid here today and informed him about the announcement made in Colombo today about holding provincial polls in the Jaffna peninsula.


Khurshid conveyed India’s appreciation to Rajapaksa for the announcement, official sources said.


He also emphasized the need to fully implement the provisions of 13th Amendment and to go beyond it so as to ensure meaningful development of the island nation. He urged Rajapaksa not to do anything to dilute the provisions of the 13th Amendment.


Rajapaksa expressed his appreciation for the vast number of projects that are being undertaken by India, especially in the Northern and Eastern provinces.


He said that there is great appreciation amongst the people of Sri Lanka for the variety of projects being undertaken, especially the housing project which was proceeding extremely well.


Rajapaksa, here on a day-long visit, met National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.