New Delhi, Jan 24 (IANS): India Thursday hailed as a "welcome first step" a report submitted to the Sri Lankan government suggesting devolution for that country's provinces.
The external affairs ministry said to the extent the proposals of the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) contributed to a settlement acceptable "to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka", they "are a welcome first step".
The APRC had presented an interim report on a devolution package for the island's provinces which Colombo said would be in keeping with the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord.
The long-awaited APRC report was submitted to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse Thursday.
"The government of Sri Lanka has been good enough to share with us the interim steps recommended by the APRC for implementation of devolution provisions and official language provisions of the Sri Lankan constitution," said ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna.
Sarna added that India would "continue to work with Sri Lanka and its people to bring about ... a settlement of the issues in Sri Lanka".
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