India to open Consulate in Jaffna soon

With the civil war in northern Sri Lanka over, India will shortly open its Consulate in Jaffna, a significant step that will enable it to participate better in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process in the Tamil-dominated region.

All issues related to opening of the Consulate have been finalised and it will be inaugurated soon, sources said in New Delhi.

It got a bit delayed as Sri Lanka was going through the electoral process, which is over now.

Now, the process to open the Consulate will gather pace, they said.

The step will bring about closer contact between India and the Tamil population in northern Sri Lanka, which was freed from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam control last year.

India has announced a Rs 500 crore package for reconstruction and rehabilitation of about three lakh Tamils displaced by the war between LTTE and the Lankan forces.

One of the focus areas of reconstruction is agriculture with India planning a major initiative in this regard in northern Sri Lanka. India was also keenly awaiting for the political package to be announced, as promised by newly re-elected Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa, for the Tamil minorities.

New Delhi hoped that aspirations of these minorities will be taken care of in that package by the president, who it said has come to power with a 'convincing' margins.