Concluding his four day visit to Sri Lanka, India's foreign affairs minister, SM Krishna reiterated the need to "devolve powers" in a "very visible manner" and expressed confidence in the ruling regime's commitment towards this.

Speaking to reporters on his way home to New Delhi, Krishna said,

"On the whole I have a sense of satisfaction that all the programmes that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced are being pursued vigorously in Sri Lanka."

"I think it goes without saying that Article 13 plus (should) be implemented in a very visible manner. So, till then, naturally we will keep looking forward to the implementation of the assurances given to the people of Sri Lanka and during the talks we have had."

"We are looking forward to the implementation of the Article 13."

In an apparent reference to the TNA's concern regarding the Sri Lankan government's "lethargic" attitude towards talks, Krishna added,

"....Some doubts were expressed by certain Tamil representatives of Sri Lanka and hence it was necessary for me to broach this subject again with the President and it was heartening to learn of his continued commitment to improve on the 13th Amendment in terms of devolution of powers."

Unfortunately, Krishna had left before the Sri Lankan government's spokesperson and media minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, announced the government expects to establish a senate - no doubt Krishna would have found this "heartening" too.