UN, USA, Canada should intervene to solve Lanka problem: Dr S Ramadoss

The UN and countries like USA and Canada should intervene effectively to solve the Sri Lankan problem after holding talks with the island nation's government, as the Centre and Tamil Nadu had never initiated steps to favour Tamils there, PMK founder leader Dr S Ramadoss said here today.

"The UN and Western world, particularly USA and Canada should initiate steps to solve this issue after talks with the Sri Lankan government," he told reporters here.

He alleged that neither the Centre nor Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi had initiated any steps in favour of Eelam Tamils. Ramadoss later staged a demonstration before the Collectorate here, demanding that action be taken to arrest the acute drought in several districts and avoid a situation like that in  1970 when there was acute famine.

He demanded that the government provide Rs5,000 per month to each affected family and 10,000 to farmers who depend on well irrigation till normal conditions returned.

Ramadoss expressed confidence that PMK would win the Pennagram by-poll.