Sampanthan, Doval discuss development of north and east

COLOMBO: Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met senior Sri Lankan Tamil National Alliance leader and MP R. Sampanthan on Sunday, before wrapping up his visit for a trilateral discussion on maritime cooperation and security, The Hindu reported.

The meeting was held at India House, official residence of the Indian High Commissioner, and lasted about 30 minutes, Colombo-based sources told The Hindu.

Sampanthan confirmed that the meeting took place, the report added.

“Matters pertaining to the development of Sri Lanka, and the development of the north and east were discussed,” he told The Hindu.

Mr. Doval’s visit included various meetings during his stay — the trilateral talks with Sri Lankan and Maldivian counterparts, bilateral meetings with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maldivian Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi and Secretary to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense Kamal Gunaratne.

The meeting with Sampanthan, whose Tamil National Alliance has 10 MPs in the 225-member legislature, assumes significance coming two months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s concerns about the rights of the Tamil minorities, in a virtual summit with his Sri Lankan counterpart.