Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jaya Jayalalitha has hit out at an offer by India to train officials from Sri Lanka’s navy.
She called on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to review the “insensitive policy of defence co-operation” as it was in “utter disregard” of the sentiments of Tamil Nadu.
“I wish to convey our strong protest against this insensitive policy of defence co-operation with Sri Lanka, which totally ignores the impact it may have upon the feelings of the people of Tamil Nadu,” she said in a letter to Singh, responding to an offer made by Indian Navy chief Admiral DK Joshi in Colombo on Friday.
“In utter disregard of the sentiments and emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu, the Government of India is persisting with the policy of defence co-operation with the Sri Lankan Armed Forces.”
She said there was “a deep and widespread sentiment” in the state about the need to hold Sri Lanka accountable for “genocide and war crimes” and the continued “discrimination” against Tamils.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times called on the government to take India before the International Court of Justice in an editorial published today.
The paper accused India of poaching in Sri Lankan waters while arresting several Sri Lankan fishermen for passing through Indian waters on their way to international fishing grounds. Most of those arrested are reported to be Sinhala Catholics.