SL experienced linguistic struggle not ethnic: Swamy

20 August 2014 01:27 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Chairman of the BJP Committee on Strategic Action and BJP's National Executive Committee Member Subramanium Swamy said today that what took place in Sri Lanka was not an ethnic struggle but a linguistic struggle.

Speaking on the final day of the fourth Defence Seminar organised by the Sri Lanka Army, Dr. Swamy also said his Government has made it clear that it was committed to improve ties between the two neighbours -- India and Sri Lanka.

“We in India are not going to maintain this policy of ‘continuity’ with our neighbours and the recent example is that with Pakistan,” Dr. Swamy said .

He is widely regarded as an advocate for close ties with the Sri Lankan Government and has been a frequent visitor to the island.

“Sadly because the Tamil Nadu political parties were in the coalition led by the Congress, the support that India could have extended to Sri Lanka was lost. The Sri Lankan Government had to go for peace talks because of international pressure,” Dr. Swamy said.

“As a constituent of the BJP we have given several proposals on our foreign policy to the Indian Government, the first is that our foreign policy should be based on national interests and not on narrow local interests, a relationship that is best served with all our neighbours,” he said.

Dr. Swamy said the second proposal was that while India respected the UN Charter, the investigation on war crimes against Sri Lanka was unbalanced and intrusive and this was not acceptable to India.

Speaking about anti-Sri Lankan politicians in India, he said those who proposed strict action against Sri Lanka have been eliminated at the Indian elections.

Dr. Swamy said the entire shrimp and fish harvest in the Southern Indian waters has been exploited by the Indian fishermen therefore the owners of the fishing boats who are either politicians or businessmen encourage the Indians to go into the Lankan waters and exploit the rich harvest, especially of shrimp.

He said the new Indian government wants to work closely with its SAARC neighbours and its partners in South East Asia and with China too.(Supun Dias)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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Comments - 19

Mason Thursday, 21 August 2014 05:19 AM

Mr. Swamy, you happen to be talking thru your hat.

R.Dias Thursday, 21 August 2014 05:14 PM

Fortunately Indian Govt do not issue press statements on these petty statements made by petty officers...

kumar Thursday, 21 August 2014 10:21 AM

The joker in action again.

Charlie Thursday, 21 August 2014 09:52 AM

Tiger's cant stand the truth....well said Mr. Swamy !!

Saskia Thursday, 21 August 2014 08:09 AM

I think he gets the same box with some gold coins. Anyway, the golds of SL are gone to foreign country.

hello Thursday, 21 August 2014 07:57 AM

This guy has no political muscle or hope in India so had become a SL mouthpiece. He is in only for the money from SL..

ARP Thursday, 21 August 2014 07:09 AM

The photo where our Defence Secretary gets up to shake hand itself shows that there is more to it than seen.

sukirichuti Thursday, 21 August 2014 06:59 AM

He is aiding and abetting our Media Minister in laundering work.

Pride Lankan Thursday, 21 August 2014 06:06 AM

Swamy, please leave it to us to sort out our own problem. We are capable to deal with this matter. Don't try to tell us your opinion.

Lokka Thursday, 21 August 2014 05:45 AM

All these people criticising Dr. Swamy are ex-LTTEers. They can never be rehabilitated.

Saskia Wednesday, 20 August 2014 02:04 PM

Mr Swamy, you are making statements out of ignorance. What in SL happening now is not only linguistic struggle but also ethnic struggle because the Tamils who speak fluent Sinhala are also facing problems and discriminated.

mack Thursday, 21 August 2014 10:36 AM

swamy how much were you paid to say this via DM Android App

kane Thursday, 21 August 2014 04:50 AM

when you are paid for to speak what I wanted you to.

TRUTH Thursday, 21 August 2014 04:38 AM

Swamy is very scared of CHINA and their knowledge.

ANTON Thursday, 21 August 2014 02:51 AM

GILEE MALETH ATHA DATHA SUDDO
THERE ARE VERY GOOD PEOPLE EVEN IN THE HELL

mountain Thursday, 21 August 2014 07:31 AM

Swami .. Well paid comedian

Muthyavan. Thursday, 21 August 2014 07:20 AM

Swamy is a cero in Indian politics and all his statements are ceroes. via DM iPad app

ssssSri Thursday, 21 August 2014 06:42 AM

You are real gentleman

Saskia Wednesday, 20 August 2014 02:08 PM

You have made again a wrong statement. Those politicians who support to create Tamil Eelam in SL have won the last election in TN instead of got eliminated as you says.

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SL experienced linguistic struggle not ethnic: Swamy

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