Let there be talks with the visiting Indian Foreign Minister. But the talks should not affect the sovereignty of Sri Lanka, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said in Kandy on Saturday (06).

Speaking to media after calling on the Prelate of Malwatte, Minister Rambukwella said that talks could be held with any interested parties with a view to resolving the main issue of the country but they must not be conducted at the expense of the country’s sovereignty and independence, he said.

Talks may be held with even Prabhakaran but such talks were possible only after the LTTE laying down arms, the minister re-iterated.

The minister said that the statement by the UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne in support of the government’s endeavour to end terrorism should be appreciated.

But the minister said it would have carried more weight had it come from the UNP on the whole rather than as the opinion of an individual.

However, the statement of MP Lakshman Seneviratne was encouraging, the minister said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was determined to crush terrorism. President Rajapaksa was not a weak leader who could be held to ransom. He was a strong leader capable of facing any challenge in the national interest, he said.

Minister Rambukwella gifted a trishaw to the temple.