Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran on Thursday said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalailthaa is the only leader who can point out to the Indian government about the latter’s “moral obligations” with regard Sri Lankan Tamils.
Hailing Ms. Jayalalithaa’s re-election in Assembly election in Tamil Nadu , Mr. Wigneswaran told the Northern Provincial Council in Jaffna that it was time for Sri Lanka to move from the diluted 13the Amendment [an outcome of the 1987 agreement between India and Sri Lanka] to the position of a federal state.
“The cooperation and role of the Indian government in this regard is very critical. More than the return of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka, what is important is that the Indian government, which had signed the agreement on behalf of the Tamils, has “moral obligations” about the present condition and the future of the Tamils. Ms Jayalalithaa is the only leader who can point out this to the Indian government.”
Commending the Tamil Nadu government for the way Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in the State were being looked after since 1983, Mr. Wigneswaran said this was “no ordinary matter.”
Ms. Jayalailthaa’s victory had provided “happiness, confidence and courage” to Sri Lankan Tamils. “She has been lending her voice in support of our people’s protection and right to self-determination.”
Commends the way Sri Lankan Tamil refugees were being looked after since 1983 in Tamil Nadu