Whilst political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the main opposition Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP), called for the removal of the ban on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Congress led central government again requested Sri Lanka for the extradition of LTTE leader Velupillai Pirapaharan from Sri Lanka.
According to reports, India has laid down the grounds with Sri Lanka to seek the extradition of Pirpaharan and Colombo is open to the idea.
The news of a formal request for Prabhakaran's extradition being confirmed by the Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon himself on the eve of his visit to Colombo.
Menon said, "We have already made the request, several times in fact."
The news of a formal request for Prabhakaran's extradition being confirmed by the Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon himself on the eve of his visit to Colombo.
Menon said, "We have already made the request, several times in fact."
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner for India commenting on the issues said, "We're willing to consider India's request."
LTTE Chief Prabhakaran has been wanted by India for the past 18 years for his alleged role in Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.
Meanwhile, according to local media reports India is keen to assist in the development of Kilinochchi, recently occupied by the Sri Lankan Army.
Meanwhile, according to local media reports India is keen to assist in the development of Kilinochchi, recently occupied by the Sri Lankan Army.
Analysts point this as further evidence of the disconnect between Tamil Nadu and Delhi.
Whilst the people in Tamil Nadu are disappointed by the occupation of Kilinochchi by Sri Lankan Army, Delhi is delighted with the development and is ready to fund reconstruction of the town abandoned by its residents, they say.
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene on Tuesday January 13 said that the development of the recently occupied Kilinochchi would begin soon with the assistance of India.
Discussions had taken place on between Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse and Indian High Commissioner Alok Prasad on the development of Kilinochchi and the North, Abeywardane said.
More discussions are to take place shortly and the government’s intention is to develop the North faster than the East, according to Abeywardane.
The Indian High Commissioner had also expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the relief items sent by the Indian government were distributed, Abeywardene said.
