Dr. Manmohan Singh offers explanation on vote in favour of resolution

CNN IBN reports that Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Sigh yesterday had offered Sri Lanka an olive branch explaining India's vote in favour of the U.S.sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The Prime Minister had said that it is India's conviction that a meaningful devolution package would lead towards a lasting political solution.

CNN IBN reports that in his letter the Indian Prime Minister had said, ''I had instructed the Indian delegation to remain in close contact with its Sri Lankan counterparts in an attempt to find a positive way forward. Your Excellency would be aware that we spared no effort and were successful in introducing an element of balance in the language of the resolution.''

According to CNN IBN, though India voted in favour of the resolution, it worked behind the scenes to tweak the document to make it non-intrusive.

CNN IBN states that in the letter, which suggests that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had written to him three days before the vote, Singh noted that both countries had discussed the way ahead to a political
solution that will address all outstanding issues, in particular the grievances of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation.