Karunanidhi to apprise Delhi on Sri Lanka Tamil issues

[TamilNet, Sunday, 05 February 2006, 06:31 GMT]
Leader of Upcountry Peoples Front (UPF), Periyasamy Chandrasekaran, said in a letter dated 1 February to Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanithi, President of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhaham of Tamil Nadu, for his early attention to meet India's Prime Minister and Mrs Sonia Ghandi and to release a statement to the media on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) harassment of NorthEast Tamils, UPF media section said.

Translations of excerpts of the letter written in Tamil follows:

"During our meeting lasting nearly an hour we discussed the current state of the Eelam Tamil struggle. I also explained to you the predicament of the Tamils of Indian Origin. I was pleasently surprised at your depth of understanding of the struggles of these two groups of Tamils.

Tamil version of UPF Leader's letter

"Although an opportunity has opened up for renewed talks, it is unlikely to provide redress to the suffering of Eelam Tamils. On the 30th January five employees of Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) including a woman employee, travelling from Batticaloa to Vavuniya, were abducted by unknown men. Five other TRO employees have also been abducted in another incident.

"Upcountry Tamils are also suffering at the hands of Sri Lanka Security forces and Sri Lanka intelligence operatives.

"International Community's approach to humanitarian issues is often guided by foreign policy imperatives of individual nations. But as a leader of the world Tamils, the moral historical burden to support the Eelam Tamils falls on your shoulders.

"Your thoughts and comments on how you are planning to address the Upcountry Tamil and Eelam Tamil issues provide renewed enthusiasm to me every day.

"I have communicated to the local media in Sri Lanka your decision to meet the Indian Prime Minister Hon. Manmohan Singh, and Mrs Sonia Gandhi. You also indicated to me that you will issue a press release after you meet the Indian leaders. All Sri Lankan Tamils are eagerly awaiting your response.

"I have no doubt that your report will provide renewed vigor and optimism to all Tamils in Sri Lanka."