Nothing has changed in Lanka: Karunanidhi
Tamil Nadu main opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M. Karunanidhi has seized on a report by the US Oakland Institute to condemn the Sri Lankan army’s “continued occupation” of traditional Tamil homeland.
Karunanidhi, a five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, pointed out that the new government in the neighboring country has not brought about any change in the northern or eastern Tamil areas.
“The report of the Oakland Institute shows that injustice against Tamils has not reduced despite a new president. The rule changed there, but did the scene?” he asked.
President Maithripala Sirisena was elected in January with massive support from Tamil minorities, he said.
That was because the Tamil population was promised a change, including devolution of powers and easing of military presence.
Despite the promise that the Tamil population took for granted, there still is a presence of over 160,000 soldiers in Tamil areas, he said, quoting the report of the California-based Oakland Institute.
“The Lanka army was engaged in large-scale property development, running luxury tourist resorts and business ventures on land seized from local populace, even as Tamil culture and history was being suppressed by a government-led effort to construct victory monuments and Buddhist shrines,” Karunanidhi said in a statement.
He said he had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter in February to intervene and talk to Sirisena to ensure the rights of minority Tamils.
Karunanidhi reiterated the demand.
The statement comes as CV Wigneswaran, chief minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, said at a media interaction organised by Oakland Institute that Colombo was not “having the will” to help Tamils or minorities.
Wigneswaran said this had been the “characteristic” of what had been taking place in the country.
“Central government in Sri Lanka will not do anything towards the minorities or the Tamils unless they are forced to do something,” he has been quoted as saying.
The chief minister called for “international pressure” on the government.
(Gulf Today)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- PUCSL warns CEB: Submit tariff plan by December 6, 2024 or face action November 25, 2024
- ADB approves $200 million to modernize Sri Lanka’s power sector November 25, 2024
- Over 120,000 tourists arrive in Sri Lanka in first 20 days of November 2024 November 25, 2024
- Court orders release of Sujeewa Senasinghe’s SUV on Rs. 100 million bond November 25, 2024
- IMF backs Sri Lanka’s plan to boost revenue with vehicle imports November 25, 2024
I think you better get a new pair of spectacles if you cant see what has and what has not changed and before looking int Sri-lankan issues why not clean your own house please your Tamil nadu has enough problems poverty is one main thing please solve that without looking in to your neighbors issues
This fat tamil pig
This fat Tamol bastered
Mr Karunanidhi Please resign and go home you need not to bother about us there are millions of Tamils in Tamil Nadu why even in Chennai are living without basic amenities, Go and cry for them you joker
Nothing has changed in Tamil Nadu too !