Indian Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna opening Indian consular office in Jaffna

Visiting Indian Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna declared open the new consulate on Saturday.

The Minister began certain development projects that will be funded by India during his visist.

He said that the Sri Lankan government should make efforts to bring a permanent solution to the ethnic issue under the provisions of the 13th amendment of the constitution.

Housing project

He inspected on going development projects in the Northern Province funded by India. He also laid the foundation for a housing project under which fifty thousand houses will be built for the war affected people in the north.

Indian government will also fund for the construction of the railway line leading to Jaffna from Omanthai to Pallai.

Commitment

Indian Foreign Minister S.M.Krishna said that the work on the railway line has already begun and, said plans are underway to begin the ferry service between Thalaimannar and India very soon.

He said that India is committed to continue to provide assistance to the on going development projects undertaken by the Sri Lanka government for the people in the north.

Indian Foreign Minister Krishna further said that the Sri Lankan government should introduce programmes with a view to increase friendly relations between the Tamils and Sinhalese already building up between the two communities after the war.