President Mahinda Rajapaksa during talks with Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on the sidelines of the Rio+20 Summit, had discussed the rehabilitation and devolution to Tamils in Sri Lanka.

President Rajapaksa updated Dr. Singh on the current rehabilitation plans with the figure of refugees awaiting resettlement falling from 300,000 to 3,000, said Indian Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai, briefing journalists.

“The (Sri Lankan) President also referred to the situation within Sri Lanka and mentioned the continuing discussions on the issue of devolution.

But, the large focus was on what is being done for the rehabilitation of internally displaced people and he quoted the figure of about 3000 who now continue to remain in the camps compared to 3,00,000 when the war ended,” said Mathai.

“He also noted that the re-settlement process was also underway and electrification of the northern region, the power minister being present mentioned was also making very good progress,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

The Indian Prime Minister held talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
 
GL invites Armenian counterpart to visit SL

Meanwhile External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, who is accompanying the President in the visit, had met with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian at the international conference on June 21.

During the meeting there was a reverberation to the stimulation of political dialogue, economic cooperation and steps which will be implemented in order to develop cultural relations, Armenian media reported.

Minister Peiris had presented the steps for international solidarity and reforms in Sri Lanka while an arrangement was reached to hold consultations between two ministries. He also invited his Armenian colleague to visit the island.