Tamil Nadu Congress questions Subramanian Swamy’s visit to Sri Lanka

Chennai: TNCC president B.S. Gnanadesikan sought a clarification from the Centre on Tuesday on the BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s recent visit to Sri Lanka.
While welcoming sustenance of cordial relations and dialogue with Colombo to facilitate rehabilitation and resettlement of Tamils in the post-war scenario, Gnanadesikan asked in what capacity Mr Swamy had recently called on Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“The Centre should clarify. In what capacity did Subramanian Swamy go to Lanka? What is his status?” he said while talking to media persons on the sidelines of the celebration of freedom fighter Sathyamurthi and former TNCC chief G.K. Moopanar’s birth anniversary celebrations at state party headquarters Satyamurthy Bhavan.

Referring to the alleged arrest of five fishermen by Sri Lanka on “false” charges of possession of marijuana, he stated that when his party was in power at the Centre, such issues were taken up vigorously with the Rajapaksa regime and fishermen’s release was facilitated.

“The NDA government should continue our work and get the innocent fishermen released,” the chief said while also drawing the Centre’s attention to Lanka’s refusal to release the 94 fishing boats detained even after the release of the fishermen.

Joining the issue, DMK president M. Karunanidhi subtly hit out at the TN government even as the Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan was holding talks to ensure the release of 62 fishermen boats detained by Lanka. Karunanidhi dubbed Rajapaksa’s announcement on release of fishermen on the eve of Indian I-Day as only a gimmick to project himself as being concerned about Tamil fishermen.

Last month, chairman, BJP Committee for Strategic Action, Subramanian Swamy, during his visit to Lanka, had said “India would be far more supportive of Lanka’s position at the UNHRC than ever before.” This had led to criticism.