Official Spokesperson (Shri Syed Akbaruddin): Good afternoon friends and thank you very much for being here this afternoon. I have here with me Foreign Secretary, Smt. Sujatha Singh. Along with her on her left is Smt. Suchitra Durai Swaminathan who handles our Sri Lanka and Maldives affairs. 

Foreign Secretary (Smt. Sujatha Singh): Thank you friends for coming here for this media interaction. I wanted to start by stating that Government of India has always attached the highest priority to the welfare and wellbeing of the Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka.

We are of the view that the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka in May 2009 provided a unique opportunity to pursue a lasting political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka including Tamils.

Our consistent aim has been to expedite the process of national reconciliation in a manner that substantially meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity within a United Sri Lanka. Our position on the UNHRC resolutions on Sri Lanka has always been consistent with this stand. 

We believe that our decision to abstain on the UNHRC resolution adopted yesterday would strengthen our hand in achieving our objectives vis-à-vis the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. We must understand that the international community needs to work with the Government of Sri Lanka in ensuring justice and progress for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. Our explanation of vote at the UNHRC is self explanatory in this regard.

We have acknowledged whatever progress has been made. We have also clearly indicated the areas where we expect progress to be made including on missing persons, detainees, reduction of high security zones, return of private lands by the military, and withdrawal of security forces from the civilian domain in the Northern Province.

We believe that our abstention yesterday is in the best interest of the Tamils in Sri Lanka and will assist us in our efforts to help them. Additionally, it is also in the interest of the fishermen’s communities in Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry.

You would have seen the announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka this morning of their decision to release all Indian fishermen in custody as a good will gesture. This is the first step towards a long-term solution to the fishermen’s issue. 

You may also be interested in knowing what all we have done for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka since 2009. 

1. Government of India has extended assistance worth 1.3 billion dollars in terms of loans and grants for various projects for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons and reconstruction of infrastructure in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
2. Government of India is undertaking its largest ever development assistance project in the world in Sri Lanka. The construction of 50,000 houses in the North, East and Central Provinces worth Rs.1,372 crore, a pilot project of 1,000 houses was completed in August 2012, and construction of 43,000 houses under the owner-driven model commenced on October 2,2012. More than 10,000 units were completed by the end of 2013. The entire project is expected to be completed by 2015-16. 
3. Projects related to the development of rail, this is the Northern Railway project worth Rs.4,000 crore; and port infrastructure, dredging of Kankesanthurai harbour; rehabilitation of runway at the Palali airport; education such as upgradation of schools, setting up of vocational training centres; public health, hospitals being constructed at Vavunia and the Central Province; and economic revival projects such as livelihood and employment generation projects in the area of agriculture, fishing, small enterprises, handicrafts, creation of industrial zones have been undertaken with a sense of urgency. 
4. Empowerment of war-affected women of the Eastern Province by providing self-employment oriented vocational training through SEVA to assist them to earn their livelihood. This is a project worth Rs.8.22 crore. 
5. Assistance from the Ministry of Human Resources Development for implementation of the trilingual policy including the teaching of Tamil in Sri Lanka.
6. Setting of the 500 MW Sampur Thermal Power Project in Trincomalee which will not only provide electricity but also generate employment in the eastern province. 

Friends, I believe that Government of India has shown through its projects and through the many actions that it has taken to help the Tamil citizens in Sri Lanka that their welfare and wellbeing are and continue to be of the highest priority to them.

Thank you. 

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