India told of Sri Lankan panel for north-east

COLOMBO, JUNE 17. The Sri Lankan Government has officially informed India about its decision to constitute an interim council to administer the northern and eastern provinces as a prelude to the commencement of a new peace process with the rebels.

The decision, taken by the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, and the opposition United National Party leader, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, is a temporary measure to solve the ethnic crisis, the Island newspaper reported today. Both the leaders would meet chiefs of moderate Tamil parties to discuss the modalities to set up the council, it added.

The decision to constitute the council was taken last week after India's External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, arrived here and held discussions to kickstart a new peace process.

``Diplomatic sources said the Government expected India to play a role in bringing the LTTE to participate in the proposed interim council,'' the paper said. It said the President had indicated that she was not opposed to the participation of the LTTE in the proposed council.

- PTI

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