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by our Parliament Correspondent

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi S. B. Dissanayake yesterday told Parliament that the Government has kept the Indian Government informed about every step in the progress of the peace process and has won the support of our immediate neighbour towards bringing a lasting peace to the war battered country. The minister was responding to a statement made by former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake who alleged that the Government has neglected the role of India in the on-going peace process.

Refuting the statement of Wickremanayake, Minister Dissanayake said not only the Indian Government but also a large number of countries in many parts of the world have commended the current peace process. The Minister was the opening speaker for the Government on the debate on an adjournment motion on the statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's statement to Parliament on the Oslo Donor Conference and peace talks.

Minister Dissanayake said anyone can oppose the peace process, look at it suspiciously and criticise it. "But I request you not to block the initiative taken by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to solve the crisis, since this is the last chance for peace.

Later in the debate, Economic Reforms, Science and Technology Minister Milinda Moragoda also said the government of Sri Lanka has always stated that India is the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's foreign policy, and a key plank in the economic policy.

'In future we hope Sri Lanka will become the gateway to South Asia through India in this modern world. It is in this context that under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, we have a very special relationship with India,' the Minister said.

So special that like old friends we understand each other well and do not always have to spell out every initiative or action for the other to understand. Infact, I would venture to state that under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, we can afford to take India for granted as they take us for granted,' Minister Moragoda added

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