The Hindu : Arrest evokes mixed response in Sri Lanka

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 13, 2002

International

International

Arrest evokes mixed response in Sri Lanka

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO JULY 12. The arrest of the MDMK leader, Vaiko, has drawn varied responses in Sri Lanka. While the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance expressed "shock and disappointment'', the main Opposition, People's Alliance, said the move reflected the seriousness with which it viewed the regional situation.

R. Sampanthan, parliamentary leader of the alliance, said the arrest and remand of Mr. Vaiko, when a ceasefire agreement is on in Sri Lanka, "causes deep anguish''.

The TNA includes the Tamil United Liberation Front, the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation, the Suresh-wing of the Eelam Peoples Revolutionary Liberation Front and the All-Ceylon Tamil Congress.

Earlier, the PA spokesman, Sarath Amunugama, when asked for his reaction, said it showed that "the Indian Government is taking the regional situation very seriously.'' The LTTE's activities would impact not only Sri Lanka but also across the Palk Strait and the Indian response was in sharp contrast to the "blundering amateurishness'' of the Sri Lankan Government.

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