Tamils concerned over India's moves- TNA MP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 November 2004, 04:28 GMT]
"Visits of Indian military and naval chiefs to Sri Lanka and Indo-Sri Lanka defence agreement expected to be signed next week in India by both governments during the visit of Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge have caused apprehension among Tamils that preparations are underway for another war in the island," said Ms Pathmini Sithamparanathan, Jaffna district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian in a press release issued Tuesday.

Indian military chief N.C.Vij is currently in Sri Lanka meeting heads of Sri Lanka armed forces and government leaders. Last month Indian navy chief visited Sri Lanka.

"Tamils still want to strengthen the relationship with India. Tamils sighed relief when Government of India announced that it would support the peace process brokered by Norwegian facilitation. However, Tamils have been marginalized by India, which is working closely with the Sri Lankan government without consulting Tamil sections," Ms Sithamparanathan pointed out in her statement

"Tamils, feel that the proposed defence agreement between India and Sri Lanka would encourage Sinhala rulers to prepare for another war abandoning the current peace process", said Ms. Sithamparanathan.

"Sinhala governments in power never accepted the legitimate aspirations of Tamils with sincerity. Due to international pressure the Sinhala rulers accept mediations, negotiations and submit proposals, but have not steps towards finding a permanent political resolution to the ethnic conflict.

"Indian government should rethink signing a defence agreement with Sinhala political leadership that never kept its agreements and pactsentered into with Tamil leaderships in past, Ms Sithamparanathan said.