Rajapakse lays out devolution roadmap before Manmohan

8220;The Sri Lankan President has explained the steps he is taking through the All-Party Representatives Committee for arriving at a devolution package which would lead to a political settlement of the ethnic problem,8221; the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said. 8220;We have conveyed our long-standing position on the need for a negotiated political settlement that is acceptable to all sections of Sri Lankan society,8221; the spokesperson said.

India has already shared with Lanka its constitutional experience, including the devolution of power models.

Karunanidhi talks Lanka with Sonia

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday and discussed the situation in Sri Lanka. Karunanidhi apprised Sonia of the developments in the island nation, arrival of refugees in Tamil Nadu and the recent discussion he had with National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivashankar Menon on the situation in that country.

Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran, who was present at the meeting, said the leaders did not discuss the issue of MDMK8217;s status in the UPA. DMK is peeved with the Congress maintaining MDMK in the UPA despite its alliance with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu. 8212; ENS