Jayalalitha asks PM not to participate in C'wealth meet in Lanka

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh not to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the Leader’s Retreat hosted by Sri Lanka next month, to protest against the violation of human rights of Tamils there.

“I wish to reiterate Tamil Nadu’s position that India should not participate in CHOGM hosted by Sri Lanka at any level whether titular, ministerial or official,” she said in a letter to Singh.

“Only such an action will convey India’s unequivocal stand that it will not tolerate the violation of human rights of the Sri Lankan Tamil minority,” she said.

 “I hope you will respect the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu and unanimous view across party lines and convey India’s decision to stay away from the forthcoming CHOGM at Colombo in November 2013,” Jayalalitha added.

According to her, the present Sri Lankan regime stands accused of committing war crimes and human rights violations against Tamil minority in the country, violating the credo of the Commonwealth.

“Against this background, the participation of India in this event will amount to an endorsement of these excesses. Such participation will not only embolden the Sri Lankan regime but will also incense public opinion and sentiment in Tamil Nadu on this very sensitive issue even further,” she said.

Jayalalitha also warned of serious internal security situation as political parties, students and civil society are staging protests against Lanka.