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Lankan minister seeks Indian intervention

Fakir Chand in Bangalore

Putting an end to all speculation about his sudden visit to Bangalore, Sri Lankan deputy foreign minister Lakshman Kiriella on Sunday clarified that he was in India on a personal visit to have the dharshan of godman Satya Sai Baba at a time when his country is embroiled in a do-or-die battle with the LTTE army for the control of the Jaffna peninsula.

Kiriella told media persons at Sathya Sai Ashram on the outskirts of Bangalore that Sri Lanka favoured military intervention by India to put an end to the ethnic strife raging in his island country, and that he looked forward for it.

Kiriella also claimed that as part of Lanka's war strategy, it was essential that its troops retained the Palely air base at any cost to keep the supplies going on. "We have discussed everything with the Indian authorities, and have been assured of help at the appropriate time," he asserted.

The minister also disclosed that apart from India, Sri Lanka was taking help from Pakistan and Norway, but declined to elaborate. Kiriella admitted that the press censorship in the island nation was proving to be counter-productive, and once the situation improves, it would be lifted.

On way back home, Kiriella said he would be meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to discuss the latest situation, and how India could help solve the ongoing crisis in his country's northern province.

"The people who opposed the intervention of the Indian Peace Keeping Force over a decade ago were now regretting. The offensive against the LTTE was to bring them to the table for talks."

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