For the first time since a memorial for the Indian Peace Keeping Force was established on the outskirts of Colombo, a former Commander-in-Chief of the Indian armed forces visited it on Sunday.

“Oh defenders of my nation, you cross seas to defend nations. You are great sons of my land. We pray for you, brave hearts,” the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, wrote in the visitors’ book at the memorial.

Mr. Kalam arrived at the memorial at 9.20 a.m. with Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha. He paid floral tributes and spent some time going around the memorial, reading the names of the 1,200 soldiers who laid down their lives fighting a war to enforce the India-Sri Lanka accord of 1987. The forces were inducted in July 1987 and the last troops left Sri Lanka in March 1990.

Mr. Kalamth President in office between 2002 and 2007, is on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka. He witnessed the unveiling of the Tri-lingual year on Saturday and delivered a lecture on ‘Ignited Minds of the Youth is the Greatest Resource for the Nation.’

Mr. Kalam later addressed students and scientists at the University of Moratuwa on the topic, ‘Unique You.’ Across all his meetings on Saturday and Sunday, Mr. Kalam drew huge audiences.

Mr. Kalam and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader and Justice Minister in the Sri Lankan Cabinet Rauf Hakeem had a meeting.

TNA leader R. Sampanthan and Mr. Kalam are scheduled to meet here on Monday. Ahead of this, the former President will meet students in Jaffna, talk to the Northern Province governor, and other officials that day.

Mr. Kalam will meet Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne on Tuesday before his departure

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / News> International / by R.K. RadhaKrishnan / Colombo, January 22nd, 2012