New Delhi: Faced with strident protests in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj earlier told both Houses that the government condemns Sri Lanka’s defence website hosting a derogatory article in the strongest of terms and that the Sri Lankan envoy would be summoned.
Her response came after AIADMK’s M. Thambidurai raised the issue in the Lok Sabha soon after lunch break. He demanded that the Lankan envoy be summoned while noting that it was a “condemnable act”. Seeking that a resolution be brought in the House, he further asked, “How can the Sri Lankan government interfere in our sovereignty by raising an issue of our constitutional authorities writing letters?”
The agitated Tamil Nadu MPs forced the Speaker to adjourn the Lok Sabha first soon after the question hour for 30 minutes and when the House re-assembled, the scene was no different and subsequently it was adjourned till 2 pm.
In the Lok Sabha, parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu had earlier said, “While matters concerning diplomatic relations are dealt with delicately, this is totally unacceptable and condemnable. There is no hesitation in condemning it.” He had also said he would convey the “strong feelings” of the members to Ms Swaraj.
In Rajya Sabha, as Dr V. Maitreyan raised the issue, his AIADMK colleagues trooped into the well shouting slogans. Earlier they had moved into the aisles displaying copies of the article on the Sri Lankan website.
