Even before taking measures to impose economic sanctions on the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, the Centre ought to annul all existing economic agreements with Sri Lanka, said Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko here on Wednesday.
He was speaking at the marriage function of MDMK district secretary N. Ramalingam's son. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had taken the welcome step of moving a resolution in the Assembly calling for economic sanctions on the Sri Lankan government. She should also press the Centre to cancel all economic agreements with that government, Mr. Vaiko said.
He expressed dismay at continuing abduction, detention, torture and killing, at times, of Tamil Nadu fishermen and destruction of their fishing vessels by the Sri Lankan Navy. He held the Manmohan Singh government responsible for the sufferings faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen. Even now, 23 fishermen were in Sri Lankan custody. Mere writing of letters by the Chief Minister, as done by her predecessor will not suffice, he said.
