Ministry to verify TN Chief Minister's comments

by Manjula FERNANDO

The Ministry of External Affairs is verifying the authenticity of newspaper reports over comments that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has made about reviving an organisation in support of the LTTE's Eelam cause.

A senior official said they have requested a verification from the Deputy High Commission in Chennai of the reports and based on their communique, the Ministry may take the issue up with the Indian Government.

Indian media including The Hindu reported that Karunanidhi has called for a meeting of the revived Tamil Eelam Supporters organization, an outfit launched by DMK in 1985. This is going to be the first meeting of the outfit which champions solidarity with the LTTE cause.

"When TNA leader R. Sampanthan has conveyed to the visiting Indian Parliamentary delegation that he was supportive of a political solution within a unified SL, why would Karunanidhi be calling for a separate state?," the official asked, adding that the Ministry will be compelled to inform the Centre that such attitudes and behaviour will not help further strengthen the existing strong relations between India and Sri Lanka.

The official said the LTTE arm is very strong in south India and they were deploying certain tactics to make Sri Lanka react.