‘Red-carpet’ welcome to Sri Lankan delegation surprises D. Raja

Even as the situation in post-war Sri Lanka and the Tamils issue are expected to be discussed in Parliament, Communist Party of India MP. D. Raja on Tuesday expressed surprise over the “red-carpet” treatment being extended to a parliamentary delegation from that country here.

‘Discussion needed’

“We want a discussion on the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils with reference to war crimes and political solution,” he said at a press conference indicating that a discussion is to be held in the Rajya Sabha next week.

‘Ground reality unchanged’

Mr. Raja said the war in Sri Lanka ended two years ago leaving over 40,000 Tamils killed, over 80,000 women widows, thousands of children orphaned and many elders maimed or injured. “They are leading a wretched life and even generous help by the Government of India has not changed the ground reality.”

Concerned at the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils, of whom nearly one lakh were residing in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK government passed a resolution in the State Assembly asking the Centre to impose an economic blockade on Colombo, he noted.

Referring to concern expressed by various governments and Parliaments in the West, he wondered, why New Delhi was silent and not exerting pressure on Colombo to provide relief to the Tamil community and work towards a political solution.

[Full Coverage]

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