India’s late former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee helped Sri Lanka weaken wings of the LTTE with extended military training and economic development, Sri Lanka’s prime minister has said.
"When I was the prime minister of Sri Lanka previously, the LTTE was in a very strong position. Our economy was weak. Mr Vajpayee helped us develop the economy and extended military training. We were able to stop the Sea Tigers (LTTE's sea wing) because of him," Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said, according to PTI.
The Prime Minister made the comments when visiting the Indian High Commission to offer condolences for Vajpayee who died on Thursday.
"He was one of the great prime ministers. He was a true friend of Sri Lanka, he stood for Sri Lanka at all times," Wickremesinghe said.