Protests in Tamil Nadu against Sri Lankan president’s Delhi visit

A series of protests was held in various parts of Tamil Nadu against the central government inviting Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa as a special guest for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi on Thursday.

MDMK, a strong sympathiser of LTTE, Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) and the ruling DMK’s close ally Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) staged demonstrations in Chennai, Coimbatore, Vellore, Sivakasi and other regions.

VCK members protested outside the Sri Lankan high commission in Chennai.

MDMK founder Vaiko led the protest in Coimbatore and was immediately arrested with followers. They were later let off.

“We strongly condemn the Centre for inviting inhuman Rajapaksa, who is responsible for the death of thousands of innocent Sri Lankan civilians,” Vaiko told reporters before being bundled into a police van.

VCK and PDK members also staged black-flag protests and raised slogans against Rajapaksa as well as the Union government. “He is responsible for heinous war crimes, but unfortunately, the Centre has chosen to invite him as a special guest,” a VCK leader said.