In response to a question from the media on the visit of a TNA delegation to India, the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs conveyed the following:
A seven-member delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Sri Lanka, led by Mr. R. Sampanthan, would be visiting India from 10-13 October 2012 at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister. The delegation would consist of Mr. Mavai S. Senathirajah, MP; Mr. K. Premachandran, MP; Mr. P. Selvarasa, MP; Mr. A. Vinayagamoorthy, MP; Mr. A. Adaikkalanathan, MP; and Mr. M.A. Sumanthiran, MP. A TNA delegation had also visited India in July 2010.
The delegation is expected to call on the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister. They would also exchange views with the National Security Adviser and the Foreign Secretary.
India has been involved in a substantial manner in rehabilitation and resettlement efforts of Internally Displaced Persons and the reconstruction process in Northern Sri Lanka. It has been widely acknowledged that our assistance in Sri Lanka in the areas of housing, de-mining, education, public health and connectivity has helped restore a degree of normalcy in the area.
The visit is part of our continuing engagement with the Government and political parties in Sri Lanka in regard to the process of reconciliation and meaningful devolution through which Sri Lanka seeks to secure for all its citizens a future marked by equality, dignity, justice and self-respect.
