Tamil Nadu Assembly Passes Unanimous Resolution on Sri Lanka; High Level Indian Government Delegation Visits Sri Lanka; No Intrusion of Chinese and Sri Lankan Navies into Indian Territorial Waters: Indian Coast Guard; The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has Compl
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • On June 8, 2011, Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution seeking the imposition of economic sanctions against Sri Lanka by India, over issues concerning Tamils in the island nation, including alleged human rights violations. The resolution also wanted India to press the United Nations to declare those who allegedly committed crimes during the conflict in Sri Lanka as “war criminals”.1 On June 9, the Assembly passed another unanimous resolution seeking the state revenue department to implead itself in a case filed by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for retrieval of Katchatheevu Island.2 Reacting to such development, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam said that it was very unfortunate as both Sri Lankan state and Sri Lankan people only have goodwill towards the Tamil Nadu people and the Tamil Nadu government. Sri Lanka’s Cabinet spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella however stated that although Sri Lanka could not ignore the developments in Tamil Nadu, instead of responding directly to the state administration, as a sovereign state, Sri Lanka would only deal with the Indian government.3

    Meanwhile, a high level Indian Government delegation comprising of Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumaar visited Sri Lanka on June 10, 2011. During the visit, the three met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, External Affairs Minister G. L Peiris, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.4 The delegates also met TNA party leaders including R. Sampanthan, Suresh Premachandran and M.A. Sumanthiran, Mavai Senathirajah, and Selvam Adaikalanathan and discussed with them several issues, including resettlement.5

    Indian Coast Guard has claimed that there has been no 'intrusion' of Chinese and Sri Lankan navies into Indian territorial waters recently due to round the clock patrolling by ICG ships and patrol vessels. The patrolling, which has been made more rigorous following the recent reports regarding the alleged attacks by Sri Lankan Navy on Tamil Nadu fishermen, has also helped in stopping smuggling from India to Sri Lanka.6

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has completed the construction of 500 tsunami houses in the Ampara District of Sri Lanka. A replica of the housing scheme has already been handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Al Jammaz on June 9, 2011. The housing scheme which was begun in 2007 also includes a school, hospital, playground, market complex and multi-purpose building.7

    Top