LTTE threats cause Indian PM cancelling visit to Sri Lanka -Claims Dr Subramanian Swamy.

(Dr. Subraminian Swamy: Following time at the Indian Statistical Institute, he was awarded a doctorate by Harvard University in 1965. He came into spotlight for protesting against the emergency imposed in 1975. He was one of the founding members of the Janata Party and is its president since 1990. He was elected member of the parliament 5 times between 1974 and 1999. He is known for his efforts in normalizing relations with China and Israel. In 1981, he persuaded Deng Xiaoping to open the Kailash Mansarovar in Tibet to Hindu pilgrims from India. He talks to the Sri Lanka Guardian at his residence in Chennai)

by Nilantha Ilangamuwa reporting from Chennai.

(January, 08, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Dr. Subramanian Swamy claims cancellation of Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Sri Lanka’s 60th independence ceremony in Colombo was due to security concerns for his safety.

Dr. Subramanian Swamy in his exclusive interview to Nilatha Ilangamuwa of the Sri Lanka Guardian, gave his insight into the current political and military developments in Sri Lanka.

“I think Indian Prime Minster is in the hit list of the LTTE. The LTTE does not agree with India’s regional role. India is totally opposed to the LTTE and wanting its elimination”, Dr. Swamy said.

Dr. Swamy expressed serious concerns about the Government of Sri Lanka on its policy towards the Tamil and Tamil speaking people.

‘Sri Lanka Government must step up its accommodative approach towards the Tamil people’ and said he ‘wants its attitude change from its present negative stance. Current political climate is very bad development and is curtailing the country. What we are seeing is the government policy is taking the racist path like in the past’ he claimed.

‘Ragapaksa regime doesn’t want to work with the moderate Tamils and this attitude is expected to influence India and will be the turning point to change India’s on Sri Lanka,’ he said.

He further said, ‘India will give support to the Tamil people and not to the Tamil military movements as it did in the past’.

‘Sri Lanka government should clearly respond to a political settlement without dragging its feet claiming it wants to eliminate the LTTE first’ he retorted.

He observed ‘if Sri Lankan forces did not eliminate the LTTE and did not offer proper political solution to the Tamil people, it will further strengthen LTTE network’.

When Sri Lanka Guardian reporter asked ‘when more than Tamil 50% people are living happily with the Sinhalese in Colombo and another areas, how could LTTE struggle succeed?’ be responded by saying, ‘It is true. There are Tamil people arriving in Tamil Nadu as refugees daily. With regard to the situation of Tamils living with the Sinhalese, it doesn’t mean they have rights or freedom like the Sinhalese. We are seeing Tamil people being harassed in Colombo for all kinds of reasons. There is clear example when we saw Tamils being forcefully evicted few months ago. These terrible acts came to an end when India and the international community pressurised the government of Sri Lanka’.

According to Dr Swamy, ‘USA and India are thinking at same wave length on Sri Lanka. Both countries want to eliminate the LTTE. But we are very concerned about Tamil people in the country. We have not forgotten terrible events of the past’.

He urged ‘constructional reform must take place immediately to end the problems indefinably’.

‘Indian model constitution is ideal for Sri Lanka because Indian constitution embodies unitary fame-work and also reflect the theme of unity’ he added.

He accused, ‘the LTTE of trying to infiltrate into Kerala and other places in Tamil Nadu’.

‘I am giving these facts based on information gathered from reliable sources including intelligence in the State. The LTTE is dreaming to create their bases in south India. But they can’t because security establishment is very alert.’

“Indian policy on LTTE will never change. It wants total elimination of the LTTE. India is also wants a lasting political solution to decades old problem’ he said.

‘Even Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi and his party are directly supporting the LTTE and unfortunately the central government too is allowing this pro LTTE idiot to continue’ he said.

‘Vaiko and Nadumaran are not the voice of Tamil Nadu, and they are not responsible for cancellation of Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka’ he concluded.