Article on Sri Lankan government website criticises J Jayalalithaa, evokes protest

An article appearing on Sri Lankan Defence Ministry's website criticising Tamil Nadu government for raising the issue of attacks on Indian fishermen evoked strong protests in Parliament on Thursday, with Communist Party of India (CPI) condemning it and asking the Centre to seek an apology from Colombo.

CPI National Secretary D Raja, who gave a notice of suspension of Question Hour in Rajya Sabha over the issue, said the article carrying "nasty comments" on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the fishermen issue, was later taken off the site following protests.

"The Government of India should condemn it, register a strong protest with the Government of Sri Lanka and demand an apology from them," he said, adding that the issue "will not die" even though the article has been removed from the site.

"How can they target an elected Chief Minister of a state who has been taking up the issue with our Union Government," Raja said.

Attacking the Sri Lankan government, he said it does not have any respect for international opinion even after the UNHRC and other global fora have condemned attacks on Tamil people and Indian fishermen.

"Sri Lanka does not want any credible probe into the war crimes and gross human rights violations which took place during the war on the Tamil people," the CPI leader said, adding that "such a government is now abusing an elected Chief Minister, which will not be tolerated".