India's 'passive' role irks Sri Lankans

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, MAY 28. Despite the visit of the U.S. Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Mr. Thomas Pickering, tomorrow, being high on Sri Lanka's agenda, the diplomatic spotlight remains firmly on India's perceived ``passive'' role in the island's military crisis.

The contradiction between India's stated position in favour of a united Sri Lanka, and its perceived ``passive'' role in the current military crisis, is coming under question here, with dubious motives being attributed to New Delhi's offer of humanitarian assistance. ``Should India keep mum when the existence of a democratically-elected Government is threatened by a terrorist group,'' asked a columnist in today's Sunday Times newspaper.

``They don't want to see a separate Eelam, but they don't want to help the Government either. Right now, India's position seems to be a bit confused,'' said Mr. Dharmalingam Sithadthan, leader of the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamils. Senior officials in the foreign ministry hinted in private conversations that Colombo would keep in mind India's refusal to respond to its SOS when New Delhi seeks Sri Lanka's assistance in its bid for permanent Security Council seat.

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Section  : International
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