Date:08/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100859860800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Sri Lanka issue: Ramadoss backs Karunanidhi’s call

Special Correspondent

“Karunanidhi should make efforts that will teach a lesson to Sri Lanka”

CHENNAI: Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss on Tuesday welcomed Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s call for unity on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

Urging the Chief Minister to take urgent steps, Dr. Ramadoss said Mr. Karunanidhi should come forward to bring likeminded political organisations under a front and make efforts that would teach a lesson to the Sri Lankan government. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should talk to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and convey his condemnation. The Chief Minister should urge Dr. Singh to caution Mr. Rajapakse that no Tamil should die in the ongoing offensive. He should call the Sri Lankan Members of Parliament belonging to the Tamil National Alliance and ascertain the actual position.

He should take steps for the MPs’ meeting with Dr. Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The PMK leader said a parliamentary committee should be sent to the island nation to have first-hand knowledge of “atrocities on Tamils” in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. Representatives of parties based in the State should also go along with MPs of national parties. They should meet people at refugee camps set up there.

The Indian government should render humanitarian assistance on the basis of the report submitted by the parliamentary committee, he added.