People's Democracy

Sri Lankan FM Meets Prakash Karat

THE Sri Lankan foreign minister, Mangala Samaraweera, had a meting with CPI(M) general secretary, Prakash Karat on May 8, 2006 in New Delhi. Samaraweera is on an official visit to India from May 7 to 9, 2006. The foreign minister informed Karat about the current developments in Sri Lanka. The suicide bombing effort on the Army commander and the increasing attacks in Trincamolee district have caused serious concern about the resumption of the peace talks. The Sri Lankan government is committed to the peace talks. In this connection, the minister appreciated the statement issued by the CPI(M) on April 27.

Prakash Karat welcomed the joint statement of the all-parties conference held on April 28, 2006 which has reiterated that differences amongst various communities should be resolved through the democratic process of discussion directed towards peace. He reiterated the CPI(M)'s stand that the peace talks should be resumed with the LTTE joining the talks. A peaceful solution can be found with adequate devolution of powers in a federal setup within the framework of Sri Lankan unity.