Indian MP's content with Lanka's economic progress in North

An Indian Parliamentary delegation currently visiting Sri Lanka on a five-day tour from April 8-12 has expressed satisfaction in Sri Lanka's economic progress, especially in the conflict-affected areas in the north.

The multi-party delegation comprising Indian parliamentarians Saugata Roy, Prakash Javedkar, Anurug Thakur, Sandeep Dixshit, Dhanajay Singh and Madhu Goud Yaskhi has expressed their views when they met the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the ministry office Thursday.

The Indian team was in the island to inspect the progress of Indian-funded development projects among other activities and to further strengthen Indo-Sri Lanka ties. During their visit, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the delegation met with Sri Lankan MPs, senior ministers including External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Tamil leaders and opposition political leaders. They have also held discussions with the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe and United National Party MP Sajith Premadasa Thursday.

The Indian MPs toured in Jaffna for two days to get a firsthand look at the India funded projects, especially at the Indian-supported owner-driven housing project for the resettled Tamil civilians in the North.

The Indian delegation has told the Opposition Leader that during their Jaffna tour they had observed the development activities taking place in the peninsula. However, they have also noted that people in those areas are still facing problems.

The major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance, meeting with the delegation has asked for an interim self-government in the North overseen by India or the UN as a solution to address the Tamil people's issues.

Jyoti Malhotra, convener of the FICCI's Forum of Parliamentarians, who accompanied the delegation, has said that the FICCI had been working for many months to constitute a 'Track Two political dialogue' between Indian parliamentarians and their Sri Lankan counterparts for greater political interaction and understanding. The visit is part of a larger programme that seeks to institutionalize political partnerships. The delegation is expected to present a report regarding their observations to President Mahinda Rajapaksa as well.