The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) formed an umbrella organisation, the Sri Lankan Tamils Welfare and Liberty Forum, to campaign demanding a political solution to the crisis in Sri Lanka.
Following the launch of the forum on Saturday February 7, members of the forum took part in a rally. Addressing the meeting, state Finance Minister Anbazhagan said as of now there was no better option than pressing the Centre to intervene and stop the war and find a political solution to the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils.
“Sri Lanka cannot ignore the voice of India, a big neighbour, if the Centre makes consistent efforts,” he said and explained that Chief Minister Karunanidhi was fully aware of the implications, which was why he was avoiding a confrontation, the Hindu newspaper reported.
Anbazhagan further said that the DMK was not interested in weakening the Congress-led UPA government in Delhi as there was no guarantee that the new regime would listen to the views of Karunanidhi and protect the interests of the Tamils, the newspaper said.
“We don’t want to lose the government in Tamil Nadu and we are equally firm that the Congress government guided by Sonia Gandhi should continue at the Centre,” said the Hindu quoting Anbazhagan.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president Thangkabalu addressing the participants said that the Congress and the DMK were working together to find a durable political solution to the Sri Lankan Tamils problem, said the newspaper.
Dravidar Kazhagam leader K.Veeramani; Tamil Maanila Indian Union Muslim League leader K.M. Khader Mohideen; Jananayaka Munnetra Kazhagam leader Jagatrakshakan; and Gingee Ramachandran, MP, participated, according to the newspaper.
On Wednesday, February 11, the forum met again to chalk out a plan of action for bringing peace and ensuring the safety of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Addressing reporters after the meeting, PWD Minister Durai Murugan said that a sub-committee was formed to assist the forum, to prepare an action plan to end “human rights violations” in Sri Lanka, reported the Hindu.
Murugan further said the committee felt that the Centre should be asked to bring to the notice of the United Nations the “annihilation of Tamils” and the sub-committee members would meet Ambassadors and High Commissioners of various countries either in New Delhi or Chennai, said the newspaper.
A memorandum detailing “sufferings” of the Tamils would also be submitted to foreign diplomats and a drafting committee had been formed to prepare the memorandum to be submitted to the international bodies, Murugan added.
