Kerry backs justice for Lanka’s war-hit Tamils

US State Secretary John Kerry today met Sri Lanka’s top Tamil leaders who briefed him on their assessment of reconciliation efforts by the new government and the road ahead.

Kerry met with C V Wigneswaran, the chief minister of the Tamil-dominated northern province, Tamil National Alliance leader R Sampanthan and several other senior party officials.

“The PM was conscious about our problems. He was glad with the Lankan government’s approach towards the Tamil affairs,” he said beyond explaining on the contents of the talks.

Kerry praised President’s new government for reaching out to the Tamil minority after the end of the nearly three-decade of ethnic conflict that claimed over 100,000 beings. “Even though there is peace but true agreement will take time,” Kerry yesterday told reporters following a bilateral meeting with his Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera.

Kerry called on President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and said both the Lankan leaders are not afraid of taking “tough decisions”. He said the two leaders were responsive to finding solutions.

Kerry said, “They are ready to take difficult decisions and they are committed to keeping their promises.”

Since ruling in January polls, Sirisena has vowed to pursue reconciliation more vigorously than his predecessor Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was known for his hardline Sinhalese nationalism.