M A I N   N E W S

Indo-Lanka ties not to be hit, says Sinha
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 5
External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha today hoped that the political developments in Sri Lanka would not lead to a constitutional crisis in that country and would not have an impact on the ongoing peace process.

Mr Sinha said: “We hope that these events will not lead to a constitutional crisis in Sri Lanka, and that they will not have an impact on the peace process. We are hoping that the Sri Lankan leadership will, through dialogue, be able to sort out the issues that have arisen”.

Talking to reporters after launching a book, “Rediscovering Asia: Evolution of India’s Look East Policy”, the minister said he was confident that various political groups in Sri Lanka would sit together and amicably resolve the crisis through talks.

Mr Sinha’s brief interaction with the reporters came before President Chandrika Kumaratunga imposed Emergency in the island nation today. The minister was asked to react to the sudden developments in Sri Lanka yesterday, in which President Chandrika Kumaratunga dismissed three ministers of Prime Minister Ranil Wickrekmesinghe’s government, took over their ministerial portfolios and prorogued Parliament.

“India is hopeful that all groups in Sri Lanka will be ready for a dialogue and work in accordance with the provisions of the constitution,” he said. The minister was also hopeful that the peace process would also progress without any impediments.

Mr Sinha expressed confidence that the peace process would be carried forward in terms of the overall framework which was emphasised when Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was on a visit here and the two sides issued a joint statement.

Asked whether yesterday’s developments would affect relations between India and Sri Lanka, Mr Sinha said: “I don’t think these events will have any impact” on bilateral ties.

Sri Lanka considers its ties with India as a “valued relationship. This is a view shared by all political parties in Sri Lanka,” he said, adding that both countries were engaged in various spheres, including economic and trade-related ones.

Bush pledges support for peace process in Lanka
T. V. Parasuram

Washington, November 5
The USA today pledged its support for the peace process in Sri Lanka and expressed hope that the constitutional crisis in the island nation would be resolved within the framework of its democratic institutions.

Far from the political turmoil at home, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe went ahead with a scheduled meeting with US President George W. Bush at the White House and elicited his support for ushering peace in the civil-war ravaged nation.

“The President (Bush) expressed strong support for the Prime Minister’s leadership and his commitment to peace,” White house Press Secretary Scott McClellan said, describing the meeting between Mr Bush and Mr Wickremesinghe’s team as “very good.”

“The President made it very clear that the US supports the Prime Minister’s efforts and reaffirmed out strong support for the peace process and the democratic institutions there. — PTI