UPA govt taking necessary steps to protect Sri Lankan Tamils: GK Vasan

The UPA government is taking all necessary measures to protect the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka, Union Shipping Minister GK Vasan said today.

As part of these measures, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon had visited Colombo a week ago and discussed the issue with the authorities there, he told reporters here.

He said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had ascertained the status of Tamils from Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who had visited Sri Lanka some time ago and based on it the government was taking all efforts to protect the rights and also the rehabilitation of displaced Tamils.

On the resolution adopted by Tamil Nadu Assembly for economic sanctions against Sri Lanka for alleged human rights violations, Vasan said it was an unanimous resolution with the participation of Congress legislators.

When asked about Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's demand for suspension of recently launched ferry service between Tuticorin and Sri Lanka, Vasan said the resumption of the service was the long cherished dream of people of Tamil Nadu.

He said the ferry service would be a boon to the middle class and poor people as the cost of travelling to Sri Lanka was very less compared to air fares.