India welcomes S Lanka`s decision to stop combat operations

Chennai, Apr 27 (PTI) Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram
Monday welcomed the Sri Lankan government's announcement that
combat operations in the northern parts of the island nation
have reached a conclusion, saying it meant cessation of
hostilities.

"It means cessation of hostilities.It means to the
government of India that the Sri Lankan government has put an
end to the ongoing offensive," he said.
Chidambaram, who spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M
Karunanidhi, informing him of the Sri Lankan government's
decision, told PTI from Kariakudi where he is campaigning that
"Sri Lanka's announcement offers solace to us. The next course
of action on the issue will be decided in consultation with
all."

"I think we all should welcome the development. More
needs to be done. The Government of India will do more. The
Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh), the NSA (M K Narayanan) are
in touch with the Sri Lankan authorities. We will try to do
more. But for now this means there is cessation of
hostilities," he said.

Chidambaram said New Delhi's understanding was that
Sri Lankan government, which launched a decision combing
operation against LTTE, has put an end to the hostilities.

The Home Minister said India was asking for cessation of
hostilities and the Sri Lankan government's statement was a
significant one.

"It is a result of the efforts that the Government of
India has been making over the last several days, specially in
the last 72 hours. We have exerted pressure on the
humanitarian situation...," he said.

Asked whether India would send relief material to
affected Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, Chidambaram said indeed
it was a humanitarian situation and it was prime concern for
India.

"I think we are examining the possibility of stepping up
humanitarian aid. I intend to speak to the Prime Minister
later today and if there is any aid, it will be announced on
behalf of the Prime Minister," he said.

Chidambaram also thanked United States, UK, the UN
Secretary General and several European countries who have
expressed their concern.

"We should be grateful to them for their support and
understanding," he said. PTI