India committed to ensure SL Tamils dignity, peace, and equality: Modi

14 February 2021 02:33 pm - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted today that India is always committed to ensure that Tamils in Sri Lanka whom he referred to as ‘our brothers and sisters’ live with equality, justice, peace and dignity.

Addressing a meeting in Chennai, he said his government had taken care of the welfare and aspirations of ‘Tamil brothers and sisters’ in Sri Lanka.

The Indian Prime Minister’s remarks came at a time when bilateral ties hit an all-time low following the Sri Lankan government’s decision to renege from the commitment by the previous government to develop the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port with India.

Sri Lanka offered to develop to the western terminal with India, instead. However, India still persists with its demand that the ECT should be developed in an equity sharing arrangement with them.

The extracts of Mr. Modi’s remarks were shared with the local media by the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

“It is my honour to have been the only Indian PM to visit Jaffna. Through development works we are ensuring welfare of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community. The resources given by our Government for Tamils have been much more than in the past. The projects include: Fifty thousand houses for displaced Tamils in North-Eastern Sri Lanka. Four thousand houses in the plantation areas. On the health side, we financed a free ambulance service which is widely used by the Tamil community. A hospital has been built in Dickoya. To boost connectivity, the railway network to Jaffna and to Mannar is being re-built .Flights have been established from Chennai to Jaffna. I feel happy to share that India has built the Jaffna Cultural Centre which we hope to open soon. The issue of Tamil rights has also been taken up by us consistently with Sri Lankan leaders. We are always committed to ensuring that they live with equality, justice peace and dignity,” Mr. Modi said.

Commenting on the fisheries issue, he said, “The problem faced by our fishermen is long-standing. I do not wish to go into the history of the problem. But let me assure you that my Government will always protect their rightful interests. We have ensured early release whenever fishermen are apprehended in Sri Lanka. More than sixteen hundred fishermen have been released during our tenure. Currently, there is no Indian fisherman in Sri Lankan custody. Similarly, three hundred and thirteen boats have also been released and we are working for the return of the rest of the boats,”.

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Comments - 22

DHA Sunday, 14 February 2021 02:48 PM

Sir only tamil politicians have a problem ! people are already living peacefully ! but sadly you'll guys created this war and now you'll are talking like saviors of Tamil community !

D Ranatunga Sunday, 14 February 2021 02:53 PM

Mr ModI leave it to the Sri Lankan authorities. They know how to deal with email. We will see to the Sri Lankan Sinhalese too. You see to the Indians and tamils in your country. We know why you are getting agitated. Meditation is the best cure.

Fernando Sunday, 14 February 2021 02:53 PM

Why only tamils? Is he concerned with people or his politics

Niru Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:02 PM

Sri Lankan Government is committed to ensure Kashmir Muslims live in peace and dignity in India.

Ex SL Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:03 PM

It's all talk and no action last 73 years. Like Indian states SL will have to have two states in one country. I am aware there will be uproar from the majority. However do they want this ethnic problem to go on till the dooms day ? Colonisation of Tamil speaking area by the Sinhala is not the answer.Otherwise UK would have colonised Scotland with English. This comment can provoke plenty of replies and I am sure dangerous to publish !!

Lankan Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:14 PM

India will never support Tamils and it does not want to create Tamil Eelam at all. It knows if they help Tamils then many other groups in India will follow Tamils and demand their own home lands in India .so Do not expect an Eelam from India . India has got big issues than Tamil problems . For Tamil Nadu Tamils Sri Lankan Tamil issue is not a big issue as well ..

Borat Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:17 PM

This cannot be forced down throat for Sri Lanka if racist Modi doesn’t practice what he preaches as he has denied the Muslims of their rights and dignity. It has to be accepted that the Tamils are given due place in society but like Modi our leaders are also racist

Peacemaker Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:18 PM

Talk only, no action

Angy Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:25 PM

First take care of your country-the Indians ... the farmers , the women ...the poor people in India.

Jagath Sunday, 14 February 2021 03:27 PM

Now, what is he upto ?

Mifaz Sunday, 14 February 2021 07:17 PM

Coming colours no good.. we can see the Indian intelligence intervention taking place in Baloch of Pakistan to incite separatism over sectarianism.

Sri Lankan Sunday, 14 February 2021 07:31 PM

Our own leaders are useless! Just ask the Muslims. So we appreciate you coming to our help and speaking for us!

Sammy Sunday, 14 February 2021 07:51 PM

Using Sri Lanka as well and again by another Indian politician, to play politics while visiting Tamil Nadu. Sri Lankan Tamils should realize that TN

Sammy Sunday, 14 February 2021 08:54 PM

Mifaz what about Pakistani ISI interfering in Kashmir?

Sivakumar Sunday, 14 February 2021 08:56 PM

Srilankan govt must know the consequences when selling and leasing of properties to china

Raymon Sunday, 14 February 2021 10:04 PM

We the Sri Lankan Tamils hear this slogan every time Sri Lankan Government does not align its policies with India’s interest . This is to pressure Sri Lanka to align their “wish” nothing else . Tamils need to be aware of this slogan and not to fall prey to India’s empty words .

jayt Sunday, 14 February 2021 10:07 PM

So all you have to do is secretly direct Tamil Tigers to train all those fighting a separate states in india by using Israel, pakistan or any third party. This should be the natural reaction of Sri lanka which is long overdue. Where is Sri lanka army intelligence? what is the same of Sri lanka army. You don't have to ask from Israel and Pakistan what they do if they were Sinhalese: Tamil have gone back to India along time ago. Imagine! 99% of Israel population is European settlers who removed Pelastinian were Sinhalese, what excellent factual rights Israel will use to remove Tamil back To Tamil Nadu? Of course, If Sri lanka had a good friendship with Israel, Israel will counter any propaganda and say "if we remove Palestinian why can't Sri lanka remove South Indian Tamil back to Tamil country of Tamil Nadu just only 20 mile away!

Charith Seneviratne Sunday, 14 February 2021 10:17 PM

Modi look after the dignity of the Tamil Nadu Tamils and give them full autonomy. Stop messing with Sri Lanka. You guys are a real pain .

Dharma Sunday, 14 February 2021 10:22 PM

Mr.Prime Minister,I am not sure your speech has been correctly reproduced.If it is correct, as a Sri Lankan national only think I can say is, we Sri Lankan Tamils enjoy unlimited rights than our counterparts in Tamilnadu.Difference is Sri Lankan Tamil leaders have been shouting Sri Lankan Tamils have lot of problems.Another glaring matter is the same Tamil leaders live among Sinhalese people in western province. Please look after the Tamils of India well.Don’t interfere in Sri Lankan affairs and follow panchaseela principles.

S B Lokuge Monday, 15 February 2021 04:58 AM

Just look after your own people who live in extreme poverty in that cesspit call India. That is why so many Kallatonies come to the paradise call Sri Lanka. If you love the Tamils so much, make Tamil Nadu a seperate state.

lbbba Monday, 15 February 2021 05:53 AM

Do you know there is conflict between Indian Tamils and Jaffna Tamils (Jaffna Tamil believe they are from high cast ) -

Sivasoma Monday, 15 February 2021 03:21 PM

If Sri Lankan Tamils were well looked after, why are they going to Geneva?

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India committed to ensure SL Tamils dignity, peace, and equality: Modi

Comments - 22

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