Date:09/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/09/stories/2008120954480400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Karunanidhi slams Sri Lankan army chief’s reported remark

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday said it was condemnable if Sri Lankan army Chief Sarath Fonseka had described a couple of Tamil Nadu politicians as “political jokers.”

“The leaders in Tamil Nadu can criticise one another. But we can never allow a person from another country criticising our leaders,” he told reporters at the secretariat.

Asked about PMK leader S. Ramadoss’ demand that he bring Mr. Fonseka’s comments to the notice of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr. Karunanidhi said the issue could have already reached him.

Reacting to another reported comment of Mr. Fonseka that India would not place the demand for a cease-fire, the Chief Minster said the Prime Minister had accepted the request to persuade Sri Lanka to stop the war.

Mr. Karunanidhi said when he met the Prime Minister along with other leaders from the State, it was decided to send External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee to prevail upon the Sri Lankan government for a ceasefire.

Black-flag demonstration

MDMK general secretary Vaiko said that his party would organise a black-flag demonstration in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy Commission in Chennai on December 10 demanding an apology from Mr. Fonseka.

He said if the Sri Lankan President and Mr. Fonseka failed to apologise, the Indian government should expel the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Delhi.

CPI state secretary D. Pandian said the comments were a challenge to the Tamil community’s self-respect.

He argued that in the present circumstances, there was no point in sending Mr. Mukherjee to Sri Lanka.

“Instead, India should summon the Sri Lankan President and seek an apology from Mr. Fonseka. If he is not ready for it, India should close down the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai.”