Source: Hueiyen News Service / Agency
New Delhi, May 18 2009:
The "conventional conflict" in Sri Lanka has ended with the killing of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and it was time to address root causes of the strife, said the Indian government on Monday.
"In a telephone conversation with External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee earlier today (Monday), the President of Sri Lanka confirmed that armed resistance by the LTTE has come to an end and that LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is dead," said external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash.
"India will work with the people and government of Sri Lanka to provide relief to those affected by the tragic conflict, and to rapidly rehabilitate all those who have been displaced, bringing their lives to normalcy as soon as possible," the spokesperson said.
"It is our view that as the conventional conflict in Sri Lanka comes to an end, this is the moment when the root causes of conflict in Sri Lanka can be addressed.
"This would include political steps towards the effective devolution of power within the Sri Lankan constitution so that Sri Lankans of all communities, including the Tamils, can feel at home and lead lives of dignity of their own free will," the spokesperson said.
EU to inquire into alleged human rights violations .
In the meanwhile, Sri Lanka's triumph was not without controversy.
The European Union will call on Monday for an independent inquiry into alleged violations of humanitarian and human rights law and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
A draft EU text due to be put to a foreign ministers meeting in Brussels calls for an end to restrictions on aid agencies, and full access to people displaced by the fighting.