The following is the text of the Press Release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, today:

"The Government of India is deeply concerned at the recent escalation of violence in the eastern part of Sri Lanka which has resulted in the ceasefire coming under serious strain. The Government of Sri Lanka has conveyed to us its policy of restraint and its intention to restore normalcy in the affected areas. We welcome this and call upon the parties concerned to scrupulously adhere to the letter and spirit of the Ceasefire Agreement. We take this opportunity to express our conviction that violence is not the answer to any problem and that political dialogue is the only way to resolve outstanding issues. We hope that the parties make every effort with a view to commencing talks at the earliest and taking the stalled peace process forward."