Amid 'intervene in Sri Lanka' calls, government calls meet

NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and external affairs minister S Jaishankar will brief leaders of various political parties on the Sri Lankan crisis during an all-party meeting on Tuesday, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said on Sunday.
During a meeting of all parties convened ahead of the monsoon session of parliament, Tamil Nadu-based DMK and AIADMK demanded that India should intervene in the crisis surrounding the neighbouring country, which is facing a debilitating economic crisis.
Both DMK and AIADMK raised the Sri Lankan issue, especially the condition of the country's Tamil population.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai said India should intervene to resolve the crisis in Sri Lanka.
DMK leader T R Baalu also demanded India's intervention in addressing the situation confronting the island nation.
Citing an office memorandum dated July 16, a senior government official said that the briefing by the finance and external affairs ministries has been scheduled for the evening of July 19, the second day of the monsoon session of parliament. The briefing will be attended by the floor leaders of various political parties, the official added.
India has assured Sri Lanka that it will continue to support democracy, stability and economic recovery in the country, which is at a crucial juncture, amid the unprecedented political crisis and economic turmoil.
The assurance was given to Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena by India's High Commissioner Gopal Baglay when he called on the Sri Lankan leader on Saturday.