Washington: Stressing its commitment to Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity, India has said it supported the steps taken by the Ranil Wickremesinghe government for a negotiated peace that satisfies the just aspirations of all the communities in the island.

"India is committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. We support the actions taken by the government of Sri Lanka towards a negotiated peace that satisfies the just aspirations of all the communities in Sri Lanka," Indian Ambassador to US Lalit Mansingh said addressing the Washington Seminar on the Sri Lanka Peace Process on April 14.

"We have been kept briefed by all the Sri Lankan parties. We welcomed the President of Sri Lanka (Chandrika Kumaratunga) on a visit to New Delhi last week. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister (Ranil Wickremesinghe) had been in India last month. On both occasions interaction at the highest level enhanced the close understanding and friendship between our two countries," he said.

Mansingh said, "India is pleased to participate in this seminar on Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. The information provided by the speakers this morning on the devastation caused by the conflict in Sri Lanka and the felt needs of its people will be useful to the international community in the massive task of rebuilding the society and economy."

India also has an important bilateral aid programme with Sri Lanka totalling $ 200 million, including several credit lines, he pointed out.

PTI