India will never support separatism

Prof. Parthasarathy tells TNA MPs
 

by Ananth Palakidnar

Prof. G. Parthasarathy who was an aide of the late Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi and currently attached to the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi reiterated to the Tamil National Alliance that India would not support the separatist war in Sri Lanka and remain committed to a political solution for the ethnic crisis based on greater devolution of power in Sri Lanka.

Prof. G. Parthasarathy was in Colombo a few days ago on a fact-finding tour of the current political situation in the country.

The Indian Professor's visit to Colombo was significant as it was during this period the Indo-Lanka accord was signed on July 29, 1987 in Colombo to find a political solution to the ethnic crisis.

As several Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarians are away from the country at present, Prof. Parthasarathy met the Tamil National Alliance members from the Eastern province which was recently liberated by the Government from the LTTE grip.

The TNA Parliamentarians from the Eastern Province who met Prof. Parthasarathy were K. Thurairatnasingam from the Trincomalee district along with T. Kanagasabey and Miss K. Thangeswary from the Batticaloa district.

Prof. Parthasarathy in his discussion with the TNA Parliamentarians said that the LTTE had made terrible errors in dealing with the ethnic issue. He also pointed out the assassination of his friend, the former Indian Premier Rajiv Gandhi.

Elaborating further on the Indian stance over the Lankan issue Prof. Parthasarathy told the TNA Members of Parliament from the East that India would in no way support a struggle carried out to divide the country and continue to insist on a political solution to the ethnic crisis in the country.

He also pointed out that if the Indian guidelines in dealing with the Lankan crisis were respected the problem could have been settled long ago without allowing room for the continuation of clashes.

Responding to the Indian Prof the TNA Parliamentarians from the East emphasised the need for India's assistance in solving the Tamil crisis. Prof. Parthasarathy also met several political dignitaries and analysts during his brief stay in Colombo.

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