Tamil Nadu - Chennai

PM’s reply to Vaiko

CHENNAI: The Indian Government’s policy with regard to Sri Lanka has been based on the conviction that there is no military solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has reiterated to Vaiko, General Secretary of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

Responding to Mr Vaiko’s letters, sent in December last year and in January this year, Dr. Singh said the way forward lay in a peacefully negotiated political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka acceptable to all communities, including the Tamils. The welfare and safety of the Indian fishermen had been the government’s consistent goal. Whenever necessary, the Government had taken up this on a priority basis with Sri Lanka. The Government had impressed on the Sri Lankan Navy to act with restraint and to treat Indian fishermen in a humane manner. However, most incidents of firing by the Sri Lankan Navy had taken place in Sri Lankan waters, close to their shores. The Government of Sri Lanka had declared these waters as a High Security Zone/No Fishing Zone, Dr. Singh said.

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