Rajapakse’s visit to focus on peace

In the midst of efforts to save what is now a shaky peace process, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse will make his first trip as head o...

In the midst of efforts to save what is now a shaky peace process, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse will make his first trip as head of state to India on Tuesday. Heading his agenda will be a request to India to play a more active role in the Lankan peace process.

Indications are that Rajapakse is in favour of India joining as co-chair in the peace process initiated by the US, Japan, Norway and the European Union. He is expected to discuss this with the political leadership here as New Delhi has so far maintained a cautious distance while keeping itself apprised of developments in the peace process.

During the visit, the Sri Lankan President will hold detailed discussions with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh besides calling on President APJ Abdul Kalam. Among other points of discussion will be the LTTE’s offer for talks in Europe and Colombo’s insistence on an Asian venue.

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This will be an opportunity for New Delhi to get a sense of what the new Sri Lankan President has in mind to take the peace process forward, particularly in the light of the last few weeks’ of escalating violence.

On Monday itself, six persons, including two LTTE militants, were killed a day after the assassination of a prominent Tamil legislator in the troubled North-East region. This round of violence, according to reports, takes the death toll during this month alone to 70.

It is believed that Rajapakse has specifically said that he did not want to discuss the defence cooperation agreement with India for the moment.

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