Positive signals from Sri Lanka on finding amicable solution to Tamils issue: Chidambaram
June 13, 2010 03:59 am
SIVAGANGA: There are positive signals from
Delivering the first convocation of the Kundrakudi Adigalar College of Education at Kundrakudi near here, he said with the end of an “unpleasant chapter” (end of the war with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam by Sri Lankan forces) there were indications of settling the long-pending demands of the Tamils for a respectable and rightful life.
Recalling history, he said the Tamils, who were denied basic
rights and faced several problems, took up arms and fought for a separate
Eelam. This affected not only
Mr. Chidambaram said nine governments had ruled
Though they had taken different stands on the Sri Lankan issue when they were not part of the government, their only stand when in power was that while respecting the integrity of Sri Lanka, the Tamils should get equal rights in all aspects, and autonomous states should be created, as in India, for sharing power. The Centre would strive to find a settlement on these lines.
Detailing the series of Memorandums of Understanding between
Mr. Chidambaram said Mr. Rajapaksa had promised that 57,000 internally displaced Tamils, who were in camps, would be resettled within three to six months. Others had been sent to their respective homes. – (The Hindu)