Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated that the Sri Lankan government is well aware of India’s views on devolution of powers for the Northern Province while stating that a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in New York failed due to scheduling problems.

Answering several questions put forward by the media on his way back from the US, the Indian Prime Minister claimed that President Rajapaksa had twice requested a meeting with him but had failed to hold it because the requested dates were not convenient for him.

When asked a question whether India should not use the TNA’s landslide victory in the North to push for more devolution of powers in the region, the Indian PM replied, “As far as the devolution of more powers for the Northern Province is concerned, our views are well known. On umpteen number of occasions, we have discussed with the Sri Lankan President the need to implement 13th Amendment. Therefore, our position is fully well known to the Government of Sri Lanka. As regards the meeting with President Rajapaksa, I would have no hesitation in meeting with him. He asked for a meeting on dates which were not convenient to me, because I came to New York only on the 27th and he asked for a meeting between 24th and 27th. So the meeting could not be arranged. There is no other reason”.