Aug 22, Colombo: A visiting Indian minister has assured to extend India' assistance for resettlement and reconstruction works in Sri Lanka's conflict-affected Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Indian culture, Housing and urban poverty alleviation Minister, Kumari Selja, who brought the sacred Kapilavastu relics to Sri Lanka on Sunday, has assured India's cooperation when she called on Sri Lanka's Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa at the Ministry of Economic Development Tuesday (21).

The Minister has expressed Sri Lankan government's appreciation to India for its assistance which was a vital factor for the north east development.

He also thanked Minister Selja for leading the Indian delegation to bring the sacred relics from India.

"This event will signify the longstanding close relationship between our two countries," Minister Rajapaksa has said.

The Indian Minister has visited the war-battered northwestern town of Mannar to inaugurate the restoration works at the Thiruketheeswaram Temple, one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Sri Lanka's North.

Minister Selja has said that rehabilitation and reconstruction projects started with the Indian assistance in that area are progressing well and commended the Sri Lankan government for efficiency in running these projects.

Minister Rajapaksa has said that India had helped at every stage providing basic equipment and food for camps of internally displaced people, donating 50,000 houses for resettlement and helping in building hospitals, schools and irrigation facilities.