India should support UN probe against Sri Lanka, delegation from TN tells external affairs minister
Anbumani Ramadoss
THE TIMES OF INDIA
CHENNAI: A delegation led by Dharmapuri MP and PMK youth wing leader Anbumani Ramadoss met external affairs ministerSushma Swaraj on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum demanding India support a UN probe against Sri Lanka.
Retired IAS officer Devasagayam, former Dharmapuri MP Senthil and advocate K Balu, who represent a forum called Civil Society Coalition for Justice and Peace, were the other members of the delegation.
The memorandum said India's stand on the UN probe against the Island nation was shocking. "Considering the fact that the Sri Lankan government has repeatedly betrayed its trust, misplaced though it may be, India should support the investigation and adopt a proactive role to facilitate the 'credible international investigation' to succeed", it said.
This step, besides enhancing India's reputation worldwide, would also render justice to Sri Lankan Tamils and could greatly contribute to our maritime security, it added.
The meeting took place a few days after Sri Lankan foreign minister GL Peiris had called on Sushma. "People of India voted for a change and gave a historical verdict. We submit that the government stands up to that high expectation and puts its heart and mind for a change in India's policy towards Sri Lanka in every spear," the leaders said in the memorandum.
The leaders recalled the UN resolution for a probe and the stand of previous UPA government. "In March 2014, when everyone expected India to vote for the US sponsored resolution seeking international investigations on war crimes, India abstained after giving an unwanted moral preaching at the 25th UNHRC in Geneva," the memorandum said.
The delegation requested the Narendra Modi government to consider nominating an independent person as special representative to Sri Lanka to go in all aspects of India—Sri Lanka relations. "This could enthuse the Tamils and lead to an early healing of the festering wound that could otherwise turn into gangrene," they said.
Retired IAS officer Devasagayam, former Dharmapuri MP Senthil and advocate K Balu, who represent a forum called Civil Society Coalition for Justice and Peace, were the other members of the delegation.
The memorandum said India's stand on the UN probe against the Island nation was shocking. "Considering the fact that the Sri Lankan government has repeatedly betrayed its trust, misplaced though it may be, India should support the investigation and adopt a proactive role to facilitate the 'credible international investigation' to succeed", it said.
The meeting took place a few days after Sri Lankan foreign minister GL Peiris had called on Sushma. "People of India voted for a change and gave a historical verdict. We submit that the government stands up to that high expectation and puts its heart and mind for a change in India's policy towards Sri Lanka in every spear," the leaders said in the memorandum.
The leaders recalled the UN resolution for a probe and the stand of previous UPA government. "In March 2014, when everyone expected India to vote for the US sponsored resolution seeking international investigations on war crimes, India abstained after giving an unwanted moral preaching at the 25th UNHRC in Geneva," the memorandum said.
The delegation requested the Narendra Modi government to consider nominating an independent person as special representative to Sri Lanka to go in all aspects of India—Sri Lanka relations. "This could enthuse the Tamils and lead to an early healing of the festering wound that could otherwise turn into gangrene," they said.
