Tamil problem 'larger than LTTE'
The Indian Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh says the problems facing Sri Lanka’s Tamil population is "larger than the LTTE" and needs to be addressed.
Addressing the Lower House of the Indian parliament, Lok Sabha, the PM said : “We have a deep and abiding interest in the well being of the Tamil people” in Sri Lanka. Saying that their problem is larger than the LTTE, the PM expressed hope that Sri Lanka will take steps to address it. Indian Rs. 5000 million “I sincerely hope that the Sri Lankan government will show imagination and courage in meeting the legitimate concerns and aspirations of the Tamil people to live their lives as equal citizens and with dignity and self-respect,” he said to the applause of the lawmakers. It is his first full address at the Lok Sabha after the victory at recently held general elections. Dr. Singh added that India has already earmarked Indian Rs. 5000 million for the welfare of internally displaced peoples (IDPs) in Sri Lanka. “We are willing to do more to restore normalcy and to return such people to their rightful homes and occupation,” he said.