Date:19/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031953411300.htm

National

CPI assails security ties with Sri Lanka

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Tuesday urged New Delhi to be transparent in its security-related dealings with Sri Lanka, especially in providing “secret” training to its soldiers.

Colombo had also violated several international conventions by allegedly laying mines in the Palk Straits, the sea boundary with India, but the government had remained quiet on these aspects, said CPI Member D. Raja in the Rajya Sabha during zero hour.

As the Sri Lankan military offensive in the north and eastern parts of the country of was turning into a war against Tamils, Mr. Raja said that India was bearing the burden of the hostilities in the form of a huge influx of refugees in recent times.

“Recently, India provided secret military training to the Sri Lankan Army. If this is the policy of the Indian government, let it be declared. It should not be in a clandestine manner.”