Alleging that the Centre has demonstrated its “reprehensible attitude” in permitting two Sri Lankan military officers to undergo training at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Saturday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to instruct the Defence Minister to immediately halt their training and send them back to their country.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa stated that Major Dissanayaka Mohottalalage Vengra of the Sri Lankan Army and Captain Hewawasam Kandaudage of the Sri Lankan Navy had been permitted to undergo 11 months’ training since May 19.
“It is very clear that this fact of ongoing training since May 2012 has been mischievously concealed from my government, showing scant regard for the views of my government as well as for the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu.”
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Ms. Jayalalithaa recalled her earlier letter on July 16, in which she had expressed, in no unclear terms, the strong views of her government on imparting training to defence personnel belonging to Sri Lanka.
“Because of my vehement opposition, nine personnel belonging to the Sri Lankan Air Force, who were undergoing technical training at the Air Force Station, Tambaram, were relocated to the Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bangalore.”
The Chief Minister said that the action was not proper because instead of sending these personnel back to Sri Lanka, the Centre, exhibiting excessive enthusiasm and concern, relocated them to the Yelahanka Air Force Station to enable them complete their training.
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Protesting cadres removed
The Coimbatore City police on Saturday removed Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam cadres protesting the presence of Sri Lankan military personnel at the Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington.
The police said that they removed 21 PDK cadres from near the Air Force Administrative College and 44 MDMK cadres near the Regional Passport Office on Avinashi Road.