Lanka invites TN leaders to persuade LTTE to surrender

Mukherjee had to make this unscheduled visit to Sri Lanka under pressure from political parties from Tamil Nadu,particularly UPA ally DMK,which have raised concerns regarding humanitarian situation in the Tamil dominated northern war-zone. The Lankan army has mounted an offensive against the LTTE over the last few weeks.

During the visit,Mukherjee made it clear that India will not push for a ceasefire between the Lankan army and the LTTE,as demanded by political parties from Tamil Nadu. Instead,he emphasised on the Indian Government’s priority of helping civilians and ensuring their safety.

“I stressed that military victories offer a political opportunity to restore life to normalcy in the northern province and throughout Sri Lanka,after 23 years of conflict. The President assured me that this was his intent. We will work together with the Government of Sri Lanka to enable all Sri Lankans,and particularly the Tamil community who have borne the brunt of the conflict,to lead normal lives as soon as possible,” Mukherjee said. He also highlighted the political commitment made by the Lankan Government to implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution,which followed the India-Sri Lanka agreement of 1987.