"BJP will always accommodate friendly parties."
Rajnath Singh
"BJP will always accommodate friendly parties."
Rajnath Singh
The 26 years long civil war in Sri Lanka caused extensive damage to a progressive and promising economy. The war may have put an end to armed hostilities between state military and the now-defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but it left most of the northern and eastern portions of the teardrop island in ruins. Moreover, it caused the internal displacement of nearly 300,000 Tamil civilians.
India has promised to be a partner in the redevelopment, rehabilitation and reconstruction of war-affected areas in Sri Lanka. Its obligation to regional peace and security, as well its predilection towards ethnic Tamils living in Sri Lanka are two of the main reasons for India’s involvement.
India has created programmes to facilitate the restoration of normal life for the internally displaced people. It has also provided technical know-how, manpower, medical facilities, billions of rupees worth of aid and has installed rehabilitation mechanisms for the IDPs in the northern and eastern provinces. These lie in the Tamil-dominated region which is poised to become a major centre for Sri Lankan tourism.
Earlier this month, the second phase of the Indian Housing Project in Sri Lanka was launched. Under this, the Indian Government will undertake the construction and repair of 43,000 housing units in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Mannar, Mullaithivu and Jaffna. The first phase of the Project began in 2011 and was completed in July 2012. This saw the repair and construction of 1,000 houses in which LKR 100,000 was provided to nearly 1,500 beneficiaries. The construction of 10,000 houses is scheduled to be completed by August 2013 and 50,000 houses within three years.
The Lankan Government sees economic development and reconstruction in these areas as a positive sign for Tamil citizens displaced by the civil war to return to their homes. It is also a definitive step to bolster a growing partnership between Sri Lanka and their northern neighbour.
India is one of the biggest donors of development credit to Sri Lanka, providing billions of dollars towards investment in railways, education, and the reconstruction of tsunami-affected areas and strengthening maritime security to check piracy.
While India’s role in redevelopment of Tamil-dominated areas in Sri Lanka has been lauded by the Tamil Nadu Government, its extensive support to a Sinhala-majority Government in Sri Lanka has drawn the ire of millions of Tamil citizens back home.
Tamil Nadu and the Centre keep falling out over issues relating to Sri Lanka. The training of Sri Lankan military personnel, visas to Sri Lankan citizens travelling to the State, and a perceived lack of action towards a federal structure for a Tamil State in Sri Lanka are all contentious issues. In fact, these views are shared unanimously by all major political parties in Tamil Nadu, in State elections and otherwise.
Tharma
October 23, 2012 at 7:29 pm
Sri Lankan acknowledged that there are over 90,000 war widows in North and East of the country. From this we can conclude that over 300,000 innocent Tamils were killed during the war with the help of India in terms of arms, training and in many other ways. India is a partner of the genocide. When Tamils were butchered mercilessly India did not responded as it should be neither it could be. India also a war criminal.
Alex
October 23, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Yes, the war was bad.. Bout now it’s over and the only thing left to do is move forward.. Sri Lanka is really moving forward fast after the end of the 30 year war… http://srilankapoems.com/tag/sri-lanka-war/
Tharma
October 24, 2012 at 12:01 am
Yes Sri Lanka is moving forward by grabbing Tamils’ land, killing innocents, molesting women and killing media personnel who bring this out…
Singing Fish Rajaratnam
October 24, 2012 at 1:18 am
The indian goverment should supervise after giving money to the srilankan goverment for rehablitation otherwise the money will go to others who want to help only the other communities.Recently in Mullaitivu,houses were distributed to muslims by Richard Badirudeen even though they were not affected by the war.The tamils from Menik farm are dumped in forest without any facilities,is this the justice?If the INDIAN GOVERMENT want to win the the hearts of tamils in SRILANKA AS WELL AS IN iNDIA the money must flow directly to the benificeries.
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pinhamy
October 24, 2012 at 10:27 am
Who told tamil to take arms.Did Srilankans said this …?If you take arms,you will be killed by arms.Why these idiots shed crocodile tears suddenly when they were supporting Tamil Terrorist to kill innocent Sinhala People including Children & Cleargy,all this because they coudlnt achieve their day dream Elam.Who said Tamils can have a seperate country in Srilanka.All these idologies of TN politicians & Tamil politicians in Srilanka tried since 1950 or so.
Now War is finish and Tamils didnt get their day dream…El….am.
Either you choose to be with Sinhala majority or go back to your original place TN in India.
Hik Hik he
Panikkiya
October 24, 2012 at 3:29 pm
There is no need of the neighbor poking around in any form or shape. If a family needs a loan who do you go to? The next door or the bank? This is asking for trouble. We do not need it.
pinhamy
October 24, 2012 at 5:04 pm
Srilanka will decide what is best for its citizens not India.India must think of spending money to build toilets for poor Indians as they have no place to do their big job but mostly under the tress or bushes or culvets or sometimes roadsides.So dont waste your time & money spending in Srilanka rather keep that money to uplift the living standrads of Indians.
At least a toilet for every 10000 people.
Roadsides Busses & Trains are sting,henec do something for that too.
pinhamy
October 25, 2012 at 8:06 am
Tharma why dont you come for a visit to Srilanka,we can show you how women are been molested.Bullshit dont utter without actual facts & figures.I think women Srilanka far more greater in living standard and security when compared to India.Idia is more cast oriented country where women doesnt have a place in their house.Go to rural areas and see.They are being molested by drunken Men in villages and raped daily basis.Do something for that.Goverment of Srilanka can do anything within its teritory because we are a soverign nation.Indians need not tell us what to do.You have more bigger problems to solve.Before you point finger at Srilanka think about what Indian Armed forces does for innocent Muslims in Kashmir.they kill Men,Rape women & young girls.What a pathatic situation In India.Why dont you fight for their rights Tharma.
Sami
October 25, 2012 at 11:06 am
When you look the Broader Hindustan the forgotten Hindukush reminds the masscre in the Vanni. the difference is former near the mountains and the latter near the sea!
India has no relevance beyond 1947 as it has no belonging in the time-space continuum of greater Hindustan.
sritruth10
October 26, 2012 at 1:18 am
Is India not aware of what happened to the foreign tsunami funds and the recent revellation by the former Chief Justice of Sri lanka that he saved top personalities by blocking truths about illegal transfer of such fund into private bank account on pain of legal punishment?! Can there be anything more tragic? Indian aid has to be closely monitored and channelled directy to the victims and never through that (failed) state. India ought to play it fair and honest and not contribute to further failures in the interest of honesty a rarity in South Asia!
pinhamy
October 27, 2012 at 4:22 am
Can you prove Srilanka is an failed state.Bullshit…Man.You see India Garbage dump Man stinct everywear.Come to Srilanka and see its million times better & beautiful than India. India is never a trustworthy partner and we never truist India as a friend but a silent enemy.Talk to common people in Srilanka they all hate India & Indians.