Pictures of LTTE leader Prabakaran’s son Balachandran in military custody before being shot dead evoked outrage and strong condemnation from political parties in Tamil Nadu.
Reacting to the report, based on photographs released by Channel 4 TV as part of a new video film on alleged war crimes in the end stage of the civil war in Sri Lanka in 2009, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said she would express her views only after watching the full video.
DMDK leader Vijayakant said countries across the world should demand action against Mr Rajapaksa, his brothers and the Sri Lankan Army for the war crimes through the United Nations.
“India should give up its usual pro-Sri Lanka stand and uphold justice,” he said.
CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said, “The barbaric killing of a child bears testimony to the gravity of the human rights violations of the Sri Lankan government and its Army. The act of the Sri Lankan Army has made the civilised world hang its head in shame. Those responsible for the crime, those who abetted it and those who suppressed it should be severely punished.”
He wanted the Union government to take up the issue strongly and ensure that those responsible for the atrocity were brought to book. It should also prevail upon international organisations to put pressure on the Sri Lankan government to investigate the incident, he added.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said the killing of Balachandran and other five LTTE cadres was a pre-meditated murder and the evidence collected by Channel 4 showed that the Sri Lankan Army killed LTTE cadres before the eyes of the innocent boy before executing him.
“Even after such a brutality, the conscience of the world remains unperturbed. Has justice died in the world?” he said.
Mr Vaiko said Mr Rajapaksa and his brothers should face an international trial on their role in the murder.
Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss said the killing of the small boy was heart-breaking. Forensic analysis of the photographs had proved beyond doubt that he had been murdered. “Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa should be made to face trial for the murder,” he said.
Dr Ramadoss said though there was adequate evidence to pin down the Sri Lankan government on violations of human rights and President Rajapaksa had drawn international condemnation, there was no change in the country’s attitude. “That is because countries like India roll out the red carpet whenever he visits the country.”
National award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu said visiting temple after temple and embarking on pilgrimages would not cleanse Mr Rajapaksa’s soul of the stain and no god would forgive him for having an innocent child killed. “Humanity has been buried fathom deep. Let the world hang its head in shame. Let the United Nations approach the issue seriously and find a solution,” he said.
