Tuesday, August 23 2005 12:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Affirming its support to a 'united and democratic' Sri Lanka, India yesterday (Aug 22, 2005) said the ceasefire agreement should be respected in the island nation and favoured a 'comprehensive, negotiated settlement acceptable to all communities' to the problem.

New Delhi underlined the need for search for 'durable political solution' that maintains the unity and territorial integrity of the country and guarantees the fundamental rights of all individuals while ensuring the safety and prosperity of the people.

"We reiterated our support for the process of seeking a comprehensive, negotiated settlement acceptable to all communities and reflecting the pluralistic nature of Sri Lankan society, within the framework of a united and democratic Sri Lanka," External Affairs Ministry spokesman said after the conclusion of three-day visit by Sri Lanka's Opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe in New Delhi.

He stressed the need for maintaining 'peace through respect for the ceasefire agreement' and delivery of 'speedy and effective relief and rehabilitation' for all the affected people, including in the North-East of the Island nation.

Wickremasinghe, who was here to deliver the 8th Dinesh Memorial Lecture organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and had extensive talks with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh.

He also met former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and I K Gujral.

During the talks, the two sides reviewed the bilateral relations, which are excellent, and exchanged ideas on how to strengthen these further, the spokesman said.