11-24-2006, 11:35 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Lanka seeks joint patrolling of maritime boundary with IndiaÂ
Colombo, Nov 24: Sri Lanka will seek greater cooperation from New Delhi to patrol their maritime boundary in a bid to prevent cross-border terrorism and discuss the island's peace process during President Mahinda Rajapakse's five-day visit to India beginning on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters here on the eve of his departure, Rajapakse said he will take up the question of stepping up joint patrolling along the Palk Straits.
"This is something we should concentrate on to prevent not only arms and drug smuggling, but also to ensure the safety of fishermen of both countries," he said.
Rajapakse will also take up economic matters with India during his "working visit" to boost bilateral trade which currently runs at two billion dollars annually.
The Sri Lankan President is due to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the island's troubled peace process. "India is not only our neighbour, but also our best friend," he said.
"There are possibilities for us to buy electricity from Tamil Nadu," Rajapakse said. He said the country was also keen to seek Indian investments in the power sector as the country was headed for a shortage of electricity.
"What I also want to do is to convey to the Tamil Nadu leadership that we do not consider every Tamil to be a supporter of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). We always look for Indiaâs help and there is a lot that we can learn from them on devolution," he said.
Talks were underway to finalise the shipment of some 7,000 tons of essential food from India to Sri Lanka's embattled North-East.
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Colombo, Nov 24: Sri Lanka will seek greater cooperation from New Delhi to patrol their maritime boundary in a bid to prevent cross-border terrorism and discuss the island's peace process during President Mahinda Rajapakse's five-day visit to India beginning on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters here on the eve of his departure, Rajapakse said he will take up the question of stepping up joint patrolling along the Palk Straits.
"This is something we should concentrate on to prevent not only arms and drug smuggling, but also to ensure the safety of fishermen of both countries," he said.
Rajapakse will also take up economic matters with India during his "working visit" to boost bilateral trade which currently runs at two billion dollars annually.
The Sri Lankan President is due to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the island's troubled peace process. "India is not only our neighbour, but also our best friend," he said.
"There are possibilities for us to buy electricity from Tamil Nadu," Rajapakse said. He said the country was also keen to seek Indian investments in the power sector as the country was headed for a shortage of electricity.
"What I also want to do is to convey to the Tamil Nadu leadership that we do not consider every Tamil to be a supporter of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). We always look for Indiaâs help and there is a lot that we can learn from them on devolution," he said.
Talks were underway to finalise the shipment of some 7,000 tons of essential food from India to Sri Lanka's embattled North-East.
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