By IANS,
New Delhi : Now that the “conventional conflict” in Sri Lanka has ended with the killing of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, India Monday said it was time to address root causes of the strife and called for “political steps towards the effective devolution of power” to all communities.
“In a telephone conversation with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee earlier today, the president of Sri Lanka confirmed that armed resistance by the LTTE has come to an end and that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is dead,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said here.
“India will work with the people and government of Sri Lanka to provide relief to those affected by the tragic conflict, and to rapidly rehabilitate all those who have been displaced, bringing their lives to normalcy as soon as possible,” the spokesperson said.
“It is our view that as the conventional conflict in Sri Lanka comes to an end, this is the moment when the root causes of conflict in Sri Lanka can be addressed.
“This would include political steps towards the effective devolution of power within the Sri Lankan constitution so that Sri Lankans of all communities, including the Tamils, can feel at home and lead lives of dignity of their own free will,” the spokesperson added.