Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday ordered the suspension of the officer of the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here for allowing Sri Lankan football players to play a friendly match with a Customs Department team last week.
Ms. Jayalalithaa also directed that the players be sent home.
In a statement, the Chief Minister said she issued orders for sending back eight students and the coach of the team of the Hilburn International School, Ratnapura. The team was here to play matches with Vellammal Higher Secondary School.
The team had come after the Royal College of Colombo evinced interest in playing friendly matches. The college contacted a Reserve Bank of India official, who made the arrangement. The team arrived on August 30 and played a match with the Customs team on August 31.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said, “When I inquired into the matter, I was told that the Reserve Bank official had sought permission from the stadium officer, who had orally granted permission. The officer has no power to allow matches in the indoor stadium and only the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has been vested with the power to do so.”
By allowing the Sri Lankan team to play in the stadium, the officer had hurt the sentiments of Tamils, she said. “I have directed the Chief Secretary to place the officer under suspension and take departmental action against him. The Sri Lankan team will not be allowed to play any matches in the State and I have issued orders to send them back to their country.”
It was the Union government that had granted the Sri Lankan team permission to play friendly matches in Tamil Nadu to improve their skills. “The decision of the Indian government had humiliated the people of Tamil Nadu and I condemn the Centre for this,” she said. The permission was given when there was a growing discontent against training being given to Sri Lankan Army officers in Wellington.
Ms. Jayalalithaa alleged that instead of acting on the resolution adopted in the Assembly seeking rehabilitation of the Tamils living in camps and restoration of their rights on a par with those of the Sinhalese, the Centre was ignoring the aspirations of the Tamils by training the Sri Lankan Army. Though she urged the Centre to send the two Army officers back to Sri Lanka, it did not agree to her demand, she noted.
Keywords: India-Sri Lanka relations, Sri Lankan Tamils, ethnic conflict, LTTE, Tamil Eelam, Indo-Lanka military ties, Sri Lanka football team
It is ironical to look at the stand taken by Tamilnadu goverment and pro - Tmil polical sections in the state on the visit of pilgrims, football team and military personals training when one looks into the stand taken by the same government on the genuine demand of thousands of Tamil people protesting against the nuclear powerplant at Kudmkulam. The case of Sreelankan Tamils are the concern of every sensitive person who respect human values and rights. The role of government is to protect the people from all dangers whether it is the threat faced by migrated community, threat to their life and livelihood as the consequence of development programme like nucrear power plant, mega dam and forcible diplacement. If the government really loves the people, they have to listen them, discuss their issues, take their opinion in value. In Srilanka also all of its citizens can not be blamed for the military action Srilankan government had taken in the past to crush LTTE and Prabhakaran.
While it is a mistake on the part of Jayalalitha to send back a school football team, it can be
corrected with a welcome arm in the near future with CM's blessings. However what is
India's plan as a nation to protect the sentiments of the Tamil Diaspora ? Is the solution is
just keep ignoring or what ?
Sometimes you feel you better be occupied by a nation like China. I see them only in the
growth path and all in action to protect their islands and territory. Atleast you will see some
progress during your lifetime. Here we gave away Katchathiva island to Srilanka. Did they
take a voting at that time.
The Tamil card has been overplayed now than ever, seeing the unwise move by Jayalalitha. This is totally unbecoming of being a chief minister of a state in India. Regionalism mindset is trying to take over the setup of our country, which is indeed demonstrating Jayalalitha's tunnel vision.
The civil war has come to end in Sri Lanka in 2009 itself. Being friendly to our neighbouring country, may lead to more autonomy and powers to ethnic Tamil minority. By doing such hate politics, Jayalalitha is doing a disservice to Tamils in Sri Lanka. This leads to resentment, unrest and disharmony among the communities.
Vote bank politics plays a big role here, keeping in mind the parliament elections are hardly a year now. Jayalalitha sure wants to play the Tamil card in the interests of getting the maximum mileage. Thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees languish in camps across Tamil Nadu, without any basic amenities. She can rather order the officials to make a better life for them instead.
Well done. Thanks to tamilnadu Chief minister. We have to imposed economic ban on Srilnka until the ethinc confilct is resolved. This is the way, all the countries followen in the white/black issue in South Africa. We have more examples.Israel also one of the contry banned by other countries due to palasteen issue. Last 60 years tamils are treated just like animals in srilanka. UNO shoudl conduct a referendum immediately in srilanka. Whether tamils want to live with srilankans or they want separate country.
I think our CM should define what kind of relation ship we can have amicably with Srinlanka. She could have given warning instead of suspending the officer. Instead of creating a chaos effect like this, there are lot of high priority things which CM needs attention.
I guess she need to supervise the work on Government Hospitals, Government Offices, welfare schemes, road works etc. If that happens we will get good service for public and she will know the ground reality and attention will go on critical things.
I propose if she could stop play of IPL matches, include sri Lankan Players in Chennai. Why only for school children, This is how she manage State of Tamil Nadu.
God save the People
Where there is no cat the rats have a field day . So long as the central government is weak and impotent these regional leaders will show their one upmanship .The only remedy is for indians to give majority to any single party - be it Congress or BJP at national level as other parties can not be termed as national parties .
It is strange why the prime minister is not acting firm in these matters .
Many of whom are worried about friendly ties with lanka, they are lavishing TN CM for sending back the sri lankan football team.., why can't they see the rameshwaram fisherman are daily exploited, beaten up by lankan navy(regular daily news). as many as statistical data showing more than 540 rameshwaram indian fisherman has lost their lives for catching fishes in the indian border or katchatheevu, nothing is known about their live whether it is an accident or whom killed them. their are many F.I.R in coastal gaurds dept but what is the use? katchatheevu was in mother india under 1974, which indira gandhi as PM gave the island to lanka as a goodwill measure without the concern of the local fisherman, goodwill measure by central govt has cost 540 fisherman lives..., but still secular indian are worried about friendly ties with lanka?
The decision of Jayalalithaa in this case isn't wise. Perhaps, she did not wish to lose ground to her political opponents in the "Sri Lankan Tamils politics." In any case, it is a bad decision.
What Jayalalitha has done now is 100% right. When a Sikh is harassed in Australia immediately Prime minister makes a statement and tries to stop recurrence. But this Congress govt has decided to finish the tamil race itself in the Sri Lanka. How can the sentiment of the Tamils and all Tamil political parties including ruling party been insulted by Central govt? They trained Sri lankans to kill Tamil people there by giving monetary and military support. They can not take us for granted. Respect Tamils' sentiment. Otherwise maoist will grow and again separate Tamilnadu voice will be heard. Those who are in the helm of affairs should understand that the more you neglect any sectof people the more it would be counter productive. Remember that you will be in power for 5 years or little more. Do not think that you will have power till you do last breath. Read the history, the recent past. What happened to Saddam, Gadaffi etc?
Of late Jayalalitha is playing to galleries in regard to matters
pertaining to Srilanka. Rightly or wrongly Srilanka is placed just 18
KM across Bat of Bengal. India has a lot of interests at stake in
Srilanka. A lot of people from Tamilnadu are involved in various
business activities in Srilanka. Such seemingly hostile treatments
meted out to Srilankan people by Tamilnadu will end up retaliatory
action against Tamil people by the chauvinistic Sinhalese outfits in
Srilanka. If the Tamil parties here continue to vent their ire for
what had happened to the Eelam Tamils, who will take care of the
overall Srilankan Tamil community still languishing in Srilanka? India
is sure to loose its leverage and stake in Srilankan affairs due to
such irresponsible attitude by the Tamil parties. What Jayalalitha has
done is not an anti-Srilankan move but a calculated anti-Tamil move.
Sometimes I feel as if Raj, Jaya, etc. are more like local neta's. See how China is gaining confidence of all the neighboring countries of India, including Sri Lanka by giving training to defense personnel and by helping at various other levels. Jaya's action will act as a catalyst for such a hatred. Any why all these things happen, well just to gain the vote banks. People should clear the exam of International Politics before entering into the Indian politics. Only then, we would be able to turn into Developed Country. Its good that center did not agree to send back the Sri Lankan personnel and should also restore the duties of this suspended officer. And, officer should rather be appreciated for peace initiatives.
its the height of appeasement...!! these acts of tamilnadu government are going to implant seeds of mistrust in a friendly country which may prove hazardous to us in the long term..
it is unfortunate that senior politicians take on their stride internal matters of other countries for political mileage!! can a state government order a foreign visitor who has entered the country with valid documents to exit? brothers and sisters of tamil nadu should realise that these politicians are shedding crocodile tears, and save from falling into their trap. long live global fraternity and peace.
Well, India and Pakistan still plan to play cricket despite what has
happened between the two countries. It's not like India would become
soft on its stand with Pakistan because of a match!
Similarly, why should a sport event be affected due to a political stand
taken by a country?
Nothing but sheer stupidity. Mamatha and jayalalitha are both sides of the same coin
She is right. Let's not compromise our security with a hostile foreign
country like Sri Lanka which will side with CHINA in the event of any
conflict.
Need to think out of the box. From the age of sangam literature thamizh
tradition is renowned for hospitality and real thamizhian will not be
sentimentally affected due to a friendly match, that too being
students.If the officer is suspended for having done a job that he is
not supposed to, then it is fair. But if it is for having allowed a
neighbour country students, then it doesn't pave way for humanity.
By making Sri Lankans unwelcome and barred in Tamil Nadu, is Jayalalita also inadvertantly seeking that people from Tamil Nadu be subjected to reciprocal treatment by Sri Lanka? She should make her sentiments clear to the centre, and request to formalise such an arrangemt between the two countries, - no visas for Sri Lankans to visit Tamil Nadu and no visas for Tamil Nadu residents to visit Sri Lanka. I will not object to such a proposal, nor would most Sri Lankans!
I do noot fully agree with jayalalitha's decision. the students who are talented and make many magics in future must give practise. our country also give practises to the talents in abroad where there is more facility. it is also an opportunity to recive the sinhaleese as our guests,it is our refinement. it increases our dignity.
iT IS NOW A CLEAR NOTE that Tamilandu is againsit any type of having connecion with srilanka in any form,while the centre is in favour of appeasing srilanka in many forms.Ms Jayalalitha, has to talk to both
sonia and PM MM on this vital issue facing the nation;Centre is just brushing aside the atrocities of srilanka's govt against Tamils in the northern part and also many tamils have already fled to Tamilnadu border areas if Bay of Bangal,one fail understand the position of centre in this regard.Ms Jayalalitha has to meet the centre leaders including Tamilanadu Union ministers ms Moopanar, P chidamaram , narayanaswami others and meet enbloc the centre leaders for a putting stop once for all.
Jayalalithaa must take further these genuine concerns of the Tamil
community to the Lankan establishment via the Union government. Kudos to
her.
Despite my great admiration and affection for CM Jayalalitha, I respectfully submit that ostracizing Sri Lankan sports teams is an unwelcome trend. Remember Jimmy Carter's fiat to boycott the Moscow Olympics? For some American athletes a life time of dedication and preparation went to nought. Athletics and sports should be above politics.
Since when did Chief Ministers start making Foreign Policy? Atrocious!
Will she also prevent the Sri Lankan cricket team from playing in Tamilnadu. this petty politics will not help the Tamils on Sri Lanka at all. Playing simple politics.
Why are you allowing muthiah muralidharan to play in chennai leave alone having a family
here.? Both Dmk and Admk should stop this political gimmicks and work for the betterment
of people of tamilnadu
Jayalalitha continues to be petulant, peevish. Sad for Tamilnadu and
sports in Tamilnadu.
This is an act of intolerance. What did the School Students have to do with what happened in Sri Lanka? As for the TN politicians Sri Lanka is convenient tool to gain one upmanship in their State politics.
What happened to the sentiments of the Tamil people when the Srilankan
cricket team plays matches in Chennai? All political gimmicks! The
visions of the DMK and it's Off-shoot AIADMK do not extend beyond the
tips of their noses. They are making a hue and cry for training the
Srilankan Air Force pilots in our country. Do these short sighted
people think that if we refuse to train their military personnel, that
is the end of it for Srilanka? It would rather welcome such a foolish
move from India. Yes, it can open it's doors to Pakistan or China who
are waiting on their wings with avarice to surround our country, to
step in to do that job. It is very unfortunate that the people of TN
are caught between these two narrow minded devils. It is time they
threw these moth eaten corrupt Dravidian parties who have plundered
the State to augment their personal wealth into garbage bins, the only
place they deserve to be once and for all. The people of TN had more
than enough of them.
States' governments and federal government relationship needs revision
in view of the changed situations and also in view of professional
politicians occupying power at both state and federal. Nowadays the
friction between a state government and central government is due to
the superiority complex shown by some of the central ministers. The
state MLAs are also elected by people like the LSMPs. Federal
government should keep only those subjects which has to be common to
all states and and implement devolution of powers in favour of the
states. Too much power with the central government will lead to cracks
in the integrated status of India.
Instead of wasting time on these issues, CM should start looking at health care , educational issues in the state. Both the fields need complete revamp from bottom up. Cost charged by private sector are exorbitant for common man. No use setting up policy papers, set the system to work .
I guess the next thing would be to stop Sri Lankan planes landing in Chennai!
Tamil Nadu's Srilankan tamil sentiments is getting out of hand. What the
hell a football match has to do with the political situation in
Srilanka. I think Tamil Nadu state officials and people are over
reacting to everything that has to do with the Srilankan government.
You were keeping mum when the Tamils were butchered. Don't play politics by stopping sports (especially the football - which is now a forgotten game by Indians, unfortunately) played by innocent youths.
Bringing one's hate politics to hurt little kids playing football is one of the most uncivilized and brutal acts. This action of the woman reminds what the Buddha preached: By one's action alone one becomes a Brahmin; not by one's birth.
this is a backward step and not going to help lankan tamils in anyway.
in india everything is done emotionally and not using one's brain.
It is surprising that an educated and decent CM Jayalalitha has done such an act. It looks very obvious that she is driven by politics. It is always a oneupmanship between her and Karunanidhi. But she should remember that not right thinking tamils support the view that sportsmen should be sent out. Army men training in India is understandably objectionable. But you cannot take it to extreme limits as to apply it to sports and cultural exchanges.
Whatever Ms.Jayalalitha has done is not wrong. The center never respect
the sentiments of Tamil speaking people. It is also strange that the
tamil MPS of UPA also not cared to put pressure on the UPA-II for this.
Looks like she's going to spoil our relations with Sri Lanka in a
horrible way. What if Lanka retaliates by asking all the Indian Tamil
businesses to go back? Thousands stand to lose business and many more.
There are enough of chauvinists in Lanka to make use of this
opportunity. I think as a leader she should desist from spreading this
kind of hatred towards civilians from Sri Lanka. When the government of
India issues Visa why is she denying them permission to land?
Here in MUmbai and elsewhere also there is a continuous demand for
inviting the Pakistani cricket teams for playing matches even if the
local party is against it. Look at Chennai which suspends its football
officials just for inviting a football team to come and play in
Chennai. We seem to be overdoing things. Is the problem of Tamil Eelam
and the amelioration of the conditions of the aggrieved Tamils be solved
through gimmicks.
This is taking things a bit too far. Training military officers is quite a different matter from allowing school students to play a friendly football match. To put things into perspective, a lot of professional Srilankan players did play in the IPL at Chennai. And the Indian cricket team recently went on a tour to Srilanka last month.
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