• Foreign Secretarys Address at the Inaugural Session of the International Conference on Sri Lanka organized by the Observer Research Foundation (10th May 2010, New Delhi) Ambassdor Rasgotra High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Prasad Kariyawasan Distinguished Sri Lankan and Indian participants Ladies and Gentlemen It is indeed a great pleasure to be in your midst this evening. When Ambassador Rasgotra asked me to inaugurate this International Conference on Sri Lanka, I had no hesitation in accepting his invitation since, after having had the good fortune to be posted twice to Sri Lanka the second time as High Commissioner, Sri Lanka has always been very special to me and indeed to my whole family. In fact, my recent visit to Sri Lanka in February this year brought back wonderful memories.


• At the outset, allow me to thank the Observer Research Foundation for taking this important initiative. I know that ORF and, in particular Sathiya Moorthy, have spent considerable efforts to conceptualise a Conference of this nature. I am happy to see that ORF has brought together a galaxy of experts and intellectuals both from Sri Lanka and India to deliberate on issues of direct relevance to both countries. I extend a special welcome to those who have traveled from distant places to be here for the event.


• This International Conference could not have come at a more opportune time in Sri Lankan history and in India-Sri Lanka relations. A new dawn broke over Sri Lanka last year. There is now promise of a new era of peace and stability over the island. There is optimism in the air optimism that the time has come to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation. There is expectation that the recent elections will sow the seeds for genuine reconciliation between the various communities. At the same time, there is also apprehension that things may not quite work out the way it should and yet another opportunity may slip away. But, one thing is evident there is now a historic opportunity to shape the destiny of Sri Lanka and its people.


• With the rooting out of terrorism and secessionism from the island, with the successful conclusion of the recent elections, with the participation of all communities in the democratic process and with the realization that negotiated settlement is the only path to durable peace and genuine political settlement, I am confident that the people of Sri Lanka will finally have their tryst with destiny.


• But then, there is still some way to go. The end of the military conflict presented Sri Lanka with many challenges, and we should not underestimate any of them the most immediate among which was the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons, especially the Tamils. They had come out after decades of conflict in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka scarred by their experience and seared by the violence in their daily lives. It was a major exercise for the Sri Lankan Government to make sure that the idPs finally returned to their places of residence in an atmosphere of safety and security. While a majority of them have done so, several still remain in camps yearning for the day when they would return to their homes and resume their normal life and livelihood.


• The focus has also shifted from the immediate to the medium-term, including the restoration of the livelihood of the people and the reconstruction of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka. There can be no greater cause for despondency than a lack of roof over ones head, an infrastructure ravaged by terrorism, a non-existent cultural and social life and the fear of an uncertain future.


 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

• Indias assistance to Sri Lanka, especially Northern Sri Lanka, at this critical juncture has been substantial and focussed. Prime Minister has announced an assistance of Rs. 500 crores for the rehabilitation and resettlement in the north. We have, in addition, extended US$ 416 million as Lines of Credit for railway infrastructure and other railway projects in Northern Sri Lanka. Another US$ 382 million is in the pipeline. Our initial focus was, understandably, on humanitarian assistance and included supply of more than 2.5 lakh family packs, medicines, a field hospital which treated more than 50,000 patients, an artificial limb fitment camp popularly called the Jaipur Foot etc. However, to speed up resettlement, we provided seven demining teams to clear mines from areas of habitation, supplied substantial shelter material, cement bags and agriculture packs. The visit to Sri Lanka of a group of Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu last October only served to reinforce the strong commitment of India at the political level to assist Sri Lanka in its road to normalcy.


• We are aware that Sri Lanka is moving into the broader rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. Agriculture in the North will be revived. India is committed to send the much needed seeds for the next sowing season. Critical civil infrastructure in Sri Lanka, including railways and Kankesanthurai Port, will be reconstructed with our assistance. India will assist in rebuilding houses, constructing the Cultural Centre in Jaffna, setting up five Vocational Training Centres in North, East and Central Sri Lanka and rehabilitating schools, educational institutions and hospitals and restoring the Duriappa Stadium.


• But then, as the Conference theme suggests, the vision for a united Sri Lanka at peace with itself goes beyond this. The ultimate vision or goal is naturally a permanent political settlement. As late Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said in September 2004 and I quote I believe that all our peoples can live together, they did live together. I think they must learn to live together after this trauma is over... That is my belief. (Unquote). The trauma, which he spoke about, is over. Terrorism has been resolutely met and defeated. The democratic process has been restored, especially in those areas where the LTTE had, over decades, prevented this from happening. Sri Lanka has indeed arrived at the cross-roads where the path to cohesion, unity and coexistence is clear.


• Let us not for a moment forget that this is a path that the Sri Lankan people themselves have to tread. However well-intentioned the international community may be, these are issues which need to be discussed, negotiated and settled by the various communities which make up the mosaic of Sri Lankan polity. This can only be done in an atmosphere free of coercion and intimidation. The recent elections have proved conclusively that the people of Sri Lanka want peace, want development, want normalcy, want democracy and, above all, want a lasting political settlement. The people have spoken. It is now for the leadership of the various communities to step up to the plate and find an acceptable way forward.


• Political settlement is not a zero-sum game. It need not and should not come at the cost of another. The 13th Amendment was designed to provide for considerable devolution of powers to the provinces. This Amendment has gained broad acceptance and has become the fulcrum around which the provincial administration revolves. There is, consequently, need to strengthen and empower these provinces further. Indias own experiment with democracy has taught us that effective devolution of powers, equal status before the Constitution, equal access to opportunities and addressing of minority concerns ensure that fissiparous forces are co