Tensions rise between Sri Lanka and India ahead of June meeting

[Lankan Ranger]

Tensions rise between Sri Lanka and India ahead of June meeting

Official talks between the Government of Sri Lanka and Lankan Tamil parties will commence in June. These talks, aimed at finding solutions for Tamils, will commence once the official meeting of heads of state of the two countries is held on June 8 and 9.

However, June 8 & 9 meeting between Colombo -Delhi heads-of-states' will be tense, news reports in Colombo revealed today.

Last week's street protests in Colombo against the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) agreement with India are the reason for the expected tense atmosphere during the official meet. These anti-CEPA protests were led by service sector business leaders in Colombo.

News reports promptly said that these anti-CEPA protests were backed by no less than Colombo administration itself. AFP reported that President Rajapakse 'met the demonstrators at his tightly-guarded Temple Trees residence in Colombo and vowed he would not enter any pact that was harmful to the island's economic interests.'

Among the placards and slogans in the street protests were “Indian trade invasion of Sri Lanka” and " “India - Do not create problems in Sri Lanka.” New Delhi, shocked by learning that the protests had the backing of Colombo, is reportedly 'highly disappointed' by Sri Lanka's attitude.

New Delhi's thorough disappointment will invariably be 'conveyed' during the June 8 & 9 official meeting between President Rajapakse and Premier Manmohan Singh, leading to the possible 'tense' atmosphere in the meeting, reports revealed.

The Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement came into effect in 1998 giving tariff concessions to both countries in their bi-lateral 'goods' trade. But the FTA did not include bi-lateral exchange of 'services' such as banking. The CEPA agreement provides for the export of 'services' to each other.

But CEPA's implementation in Sri Lanka has been withheld for the last two years due to opposition from Sri Lankan service sector business leaders. As the implementation of CEPA neared, business personalities in Colombo took to streets last week with anti-CEPA slogans.

Tensions rise between Colombo and Delhi ahead of June meeting | Asian Tribune

 

[IndianArmy]

'No Big Brother; India should treat us like its little sister'​

Tags:LTTE|tigers|Srilanka|Mahinda Rajapaksa|Tamil civilians

Ten days ago, Sri Lanka marked the first anniversary of its victory over the LTTE. It was a momentous occasion for the man credited with taming the Tigers, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa . But the threat posed by the LTTE has not entirely disappeared as demonstrated by the multi-level security checks at Temple Trees, the president’s residence in Colombo. Rajapaksa talks Tigers, ties with India and why he likes the movie “My Name Is Khan” to Atul Sethi . Excerpts:

It’s been a year since the defeat of the LTTE. Why do you think the movement failed?

Everyone knows what was going on in the movement and the reasons for its failure are evident. It was on a self-destruct path. Their demand for a separate Eelam was always out of the question. We couldn’t have allowed that. But more importantly, the violence and bloodshed that had become their hallmark had to be stopped. I took a firm stand that this could not go on. We tried to negotiate with them but they refused. I had no other option but to take decisive action.

Is it a closed chapter now?

I won’t say that. The LTTE sympathizers, their sleeping cadres are still there. They are being well looked after in various countries as well. No, the chapter isn’t closed yet.

There were reports that over 20,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the final onslaught.

I don’t think this is correct. Sri Lankan forces are very disciplined and we were extremely careful not to have civilian casualties. Prabhakaran’s father, mother and his entire jing-bang were in our camps. If they were not harmed, where is the question of civilians being targeted? Why should we kill civilians? They are our people, after all.

You made a commitment to resettle all of the nearly 300,000 internally displaced Tamil civilians in the North under a 180-day resettlement program. Has this been achieved?

I am quite satisfied with the progress. From 300,000 people in the camps, the number has now come down to almost 30,000. By the end of the year, we should be able to demine most of the areas and get everybody back to their villages.

Did you get the support you expected from India in your fight against the LTTE?

Yes. India’s support was there and we appreciate it a lot.

What kind of support was it — moral or military?
Both (laughs).

We needed both.

Weren’t the Chinese more forthcoming about selling you arms?

Purchasing weapons is a military decision. We were fighting a war. We got whatever was possible from India. The rest was bought from China, Pakistan, European Union, Israel, even the US. It’s simple logic — whoever could supply to us quickly, we bought from them.

There are concerns in India about Sri Lanka’s growing closeness to China and the Chinese utilizing this relationship to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean. What would this mean for India-Sri Lanka relations?

There is no basis for such concerns. I have always maintained that India and Sri Lanka are not just friends. We are like relations and our relationship today is at the highest level. We look up to India and India too, I feel, has a duty to look after us — maybe not in a Big Brother sort of way, but perhaps like its little sister!

Recently, you had invited a few Indian cricketers to take treatment from your personal physician, Dr White. Isn’t this a case of India-Sri Lanka cooperation?

Yes, it is. In fact, Sachin Tendulkar has benefited a lot from Dr White’s treatment and he has recommended it to others. If we can help them, why not?

You arrive in India on June 8. Will we finally see the revival of the India-Sri Lanka Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which has been hanging fire for two years?

We hope to discuss a number of issues. Economic development will be high on the priority list.

You recently said that you learnt a lot from India’s mistake in handing police control to state governments. Is that an excuse for not implementing the 13th Amendment, which provides for devolution of power to Sri Lanka’s provincial governments?

India is a huge country — you can’t compare it with Sri Lanka. I always say that police powers can’t be given to provinces. There are too many issues. Look what happened during the Mumbai attacks, when it took so much time to get the commandos, because all kinds of clearances were required. That is why I feel that police powers on the island should be centralized.

Your detractors claim too many members of your family are in your administration.

What can I do if the people elect them? Recently, the people gave a landslide victory to one of my family members. So it is the people’s decision. The day they don’t want them, they’ll kick them out.

After a hard day at the office, how do you unwind? Do you like watching movies?

Yes, I watch Hindi films in the evening, to relax.

Which movie did you watch most recently?

Shahrukh Khan’s film “My Name Is Khan.” It has captured the discrimination of Muslims in the West so well. I remember thinking after watching the film that people who are accusing us of human rights violations are themselves doing so in their own country

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/all-that-matters/No-Big-Brother-India-should-treat-us-like-its-little-sister/articleshow/5989859.cms

 

[Lankan Ranger]

India pushes Sri Lanka for the full execution 1987 India – Sri Lanka Accord

India has begun pushing Sri Lanka for the full implementation of the historic 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord. Reports in Colombo said that New Delhi will formerly be making the request to this effect from Colombo in the due course.

The New Delhi policy making circles now feel that the war in Sri Lanka is over, the non-implementation of the 1987 Accord in full or any further delays by Colombo in this regard could 'compromise India's political dignity' it is reported.

Meanwhile political analysts in Colombo said that re-merger of controversial North and Eastern provinces that were de-merged in 2006 could become a reality in the 1987 Accord is fully implemented by Sri Lanka.

Though the 1987 accord is 'implemented' by Colombo, but at present, it is only partially functional. The 1987 Accord stipulated by New Delhi on the then President J R Jayawardene, introduced devolution of power to Sri Lanka and created the current provincial council systems as a way to address Tamil grievances.

The then Lankan President J R Jayawardene and the slain Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi signed the Accord on July 29, 1987 in Colombo as boycotts and protests raged amidst a curfew in the capital.

The then Prime Minister R Premadasa and some key Lankan cabinet ministers absented themselves from the Accord's signing ceremony.

Though the 1987 accord is 'implemented' in Sri Lanka at present, it is not fully functional and a main point of currently proposed constitutional reforms is the amount of devolution to the Provincial Councils in comparison to the original 1987 Accord.

Currently, some crucial provincial powers required for effective devolution are still not delegated to the Provincial Councils and calls for fuller devolution has become a key point in the present devolution debate in the country.

Further, when Colombo drafted the 13 Amendment to the Constitution in which the Provincial Councils were created, instead of the expected two lists of powers for the centre and peripheries, Colombo introduced a third list called 'reserved list' to be shared between the centre and periphery, thus confusing the overall aim of the devolution itself, according to political analysts.

Critics of the PC system also allege that under the new Provincial Council era, due to the practical nature of the 'operations' between the 'Councils and the centre', the centre itself has gained even more powers than it ever possessed.

A key issue to be faced by Colombo will be the re-merger of the North and Eastern provinces. According to political analysts, one fundamental point that all Tamils in Sri Lanka clearly agree on is the need for a single, unified Northeastern Province.

Section 2.2 of the historic 1987 Accord specified for a merged north and eastern province creating a unified provincial council saying "...the northern and eastern provinces as now constituted, will form one administrative unit, having one elected provincial council.." Though the provinces were merged soon after the Accord.

In 2006, they were de-merged back to two separate provinces by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

New Delhi pushes Colombo for the full execution 1987 Accord, N&E re-merger looms | Asian Tribune

 

[Lankan Ranger]

India should change its behavior towards Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka will move more closer to China.

Indo-Lanka accord shall be declared null and void since it was pushed through our throats by force. Furthermore, Sri Lankan court has nullified the merger of N and E. Therefore, re-merger is not negotiable.

What we need is one country with equal rights and responsibilities to all citizens.

As Amitabh Bachchan said recently, Sri Lanka might be small but it has a big heart, but it might be well worth adding that Sri Lanka also has huge self respect and great pride and it could hurt a big neighbor if a situation arose to do so.

 

[IndianArmy]

What wrong attitude does India have with sri lanka?

 

[Patriot]

Glad Sri Lanka is acting like Pakistan now...you need to develop relations with bigger powers EU, CHina and US.

 

[hal-fgfa]

Glad Sri Lanka is acting like Pakistan now...you need to develop relations with bigger powers EU, CHina and US.

use ur country flag ......why u use others ???
do u feel shame to use your country flag ??

 

[ramu]

use ur country flag ......why u use others ???
do u feel shame to use your country flag ??

Its funny you mentioned that. Two of my team mates visited another company for a demo of a product we have. One of the guys thr said his parents are from Indian side of Punjab but was born and brought up in Birmingham. My team mates : one an Englishman and another a welsh guy believed him.

I went for a second round after the company expressed interest in our product to clarify the technical issues and then this dude tells me he is from Pakistan!

Anyways, that is OK, I am not surprised at all.

 

[ramu]

India should change its behavior towards Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka will move more closer to China.

Indo-Lanka accord shall be declared null and void since it was pushed through our throats by force. Furthermore, Sri Lankan court has nullified the merger of N and E. Therefore, re-merger is not negotiable.

What we need is one country with equal rights and responsibilities to all citizens.

As Amitabh Bachchan said recently, Sri Lanka might be small but it has a big heart, but it might be well worth adding that Sri Lanka also has huge self respect and great pride and it could hurt a big neighbor if a situation arose to do so.

Don't get worked up without telling me what you are getting worked up about!!!

Seriously, this threat of moving closer to China is not something new. If you are happy with China, we should be no one to make that decision. Do what is best for your country. Period.

 

[Patriot]

use ur country flag ......why u use others ???
do u feel shame to use your country flag ??

Are you blind or using your backside when browsing forums?You can clearly see big Pakistani Flag in my avatar..

 

[Chappal Chor]

Are you blind or using your backside when browsing forums?You can clearly see big Pakistani Flag in my avatar..

are bhaiaa sir jee everyone knows you are pakistani. you are a senior and one of the respected members here . he was referring to the flag in your profile. both are for wake island as if you are the national of wake islands and have nothing to do pakistan

 

[Lankan Ranger]

Don't get worked up without telling me what you are getting worked up about!!!

Seriously, this threat of moving closer to China is not something new. If you are happy with China, we should be no one to make that decision. Do what is best for your country. Period.

FRIEND I AM NOT A ANTI-INDIAN, I Support Improving Sri Lanka India Relations, But India Continually Pressurizing Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Allies

Sri Lanka’s growing economy, strategic location, friendly foreign policy has won it more allies. Sri Lanka has friendly relations with several countries in the developing world.

Though Sri Lanka is not a part of any major military alliance, it has close strategic and military relationship with most of the major powers.

Countries considered Sri Lanka’s closest allies include China, Pakistan, India, Japan, Iran and Malaysia.

Sri Lanka has fostered a friendly relationship with Russia and United States.

Sri Lanka’s economic and military collaboration with China has grown significantly in the past few years, while it has built upon its traditional military relations with Pakistan.

Foreign relations of Sri Lanka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[!!craft!!]

this aint a big issue to worry about it will be solved in course of time through dialouges..and joining hand with pak and china aint gonna do you any good in the future ... so plese stop being so impulsive ..

 

[KS]

Sri Lanka also has huge self respect and great pride and it could hurt a big neighbor if a situation arose to do so.
[/B]

Ok so now after BD declaring war against India it is SL now..

Good luck guys....But Tamil Nadu police are better trained than LTTE...
So beware..

 

[!!craft!!]

Ok so now after BD declaring war against India it is SL now..

Good luck guys....But Tamil Nadu police are better trained than LTTE...
So beware..

ROFL!!!
after india helping out srilanka getting rid of the ltte scum.providing millitary aid, helping em in economic development by providing 12.5 billoin dollers in loan.... if you reaaly are a srilankan how can you even think of something like srilanka is gonna join pakistan and china ???