Asserting this, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told The Hindu in Singapore on Friday that India “has been absolutely helpful.”

“Humanitarian concerns” were “getting addressed;” and Colombo would “not … rush through for the euphoria of a military victory” over the LTTE.

The “No-Fire Zone,” meant to protect the interests of trapped civilians, “has taken sanctity.” Moreover, “a very transparent process” was being adopted to organise relief for the internally displaced persons.

Despite global interest in the current Sri Lankan situation, he ruled out an international conference to blueprint a “post-conflict” solution. “An internal political process [for this] is very much on, now [itself].” India, he said, “has been a major strength for us — as a country with which we share interests, with whom we have been working very intimately.” And, right now, “the political process [of devolution] introduced by Rajiv Gandhi awaits implementation in its full form” in a post-conflict Sri Lanka.

Mr. Bogollagama, here on his way home from Thailand, said “we want to enhance our connectivity” with neighbours for the “post-conflict” scenarios. More... Published: Fri Mar 27 19:51:15 EDT 2009

U.N. humanitarian affairs chief John Holmes is set to brief council members at an informal meeting that is not expected to lead to any action, diplomats on the 15-nation council told reporters. Diplomats from the United States, Britain, France, Austria and other council member states have said they would be open to such a briefing. But U.N. diplomats say China and Russia were among those who oppose formal discussion of the issue, saying the fighting between the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and government forces represents no threat to international peace and security and was therefore no business of the council.

Sri Lanka's military said on Thursday it was close to trapping the Tigers in a no-fire zone, along with thousands of civilians at grave risk in the 25-year war that authorities say is in its final act. [ID:nCOL84177]

The United Nations says the Tigers have forcibly kept people there as human shields or conscripts, and has warned the government against shelling the safe zone. It says 2,800 civilians have been killed since Jan. 20. More... Published: Fri Mar 27 09:01:36 EDT 2009

During his stay in Sri Lanka, Minister Dr. Hassan Wirajuda will hold bilateral discussions with Minister Bogollagama followed by a joint media briefing by the two ministers at the Foreign Ministry on 29th March. He also will call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka on 30th March, 2009.

The Agreement on Visa Exemption will be signed by two Foreign Ministers in the presence of the President. More... Published: Fri Mar 27 16:28:51 EDT 2009