Union Minister of Shipping G.K. Vasan on Friday said Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam had overstepped his bounds by commenting that only those who did not participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) would face isolation.
At a time when pressure was mounting from Tamil Nadu on the Central government to boycott CHOGM, especially after the State Assembly adopted a resolution in this regard, Mr. Kariyawasam’s remarks were not in good taste. “It is an important issue involving a lot of emotions and the Indian government is studying the situation. He has clearly overstepped his brief,” Mr. Vasan told The Hindu .
Kudankulam project
The Minister said the constant efforts taken by the Union government and the good work of scientists had produced a positive result in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. “There is an expectation among the people of Tamil Nadu that the State should get more power generated from the first unit. We will try to ensure it,” he said.
Mr. Vasan said the Congress-led UPA government had formulated various schemes keeping in mind the specific needs of the people in every State. “The State government should not view them politically and ensure that the people are benefited from the scheme,” he said.
Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani said the Assembly should take up Mr. Kariyawasam’s remarks as a privilege issue and summon him to the House. He wanted India to take a firm decision on the Commonwealth meet.
