Sri Lankan envoy in New Delhi summoned over remarks against Tamil MPs

New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) India today summoned the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to seek clarification on his remarks about alleged connection between some Tamil Parliamentarians of the country and LTTE, after which the envoy apologised for causing "discontent" and "distress" to the MPs. Prasad Kariyawasam was called to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) where Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Joint Secretary (Sri Lanka), conveyed India's concern in the matter and sought clarification about his comments alleging "friendship" betweeen some members of AIADMK, DMK and MDMK parties of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and LTTE which, he said, should be investigated by New Delhi. "....the MEA has expressed concern about the tone and content. I am very sorry about that because that is not what I meant. I have lot of respect for Tamil Nadu Parliamentarians. Some of them are good friends.... "I would like to apologise to MPs of Tamil Nadu if I have caused any discontent or concern or distress in their minds. That is not what I meant. What I meant was LTTE lobby groups, abroad and elsewhere in the region as well, are carrying on a campaign of mis-information and try to disrupt our efforts to find reconciliation ...," he told reporters. The High Commissioner was earlier quoted by media as saying that the "friendship" of some of the DMK, AIADMK MPs and MDMK’s Vaiko with the LTTE may have led them to carry on a campaign against Sri Lanka. Kariyawasam said Shringla "expressed very clearly the concerns of the Indian government" over his reported remarks. On his country's expectation from India on the US-sponsored resolution at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, he said," I have discussed...India is a responsible power and it will take right decision." Meanwhile, members from Tamil Nadu in Rajya Sabha, upper house of India's Parliament, today raised strong objections to the reported remarks of Sri Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam against MPs of the state and demanded a categorical response from the government on the matter. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, D Raja (CPI) waved a copy of the media report quoting the Sri Lankan envoy as asking the Government of India to probe the activities of MPs from Tamil Nadu sympathetic to the LTTE cause. Raja along with other Left members and those of DMK and AIADMK were on their feet demanding immediate response of the government over the Sri Lankan envoy's remarks against them saying he had committed gross violation (of diplomatic norms). Raja also met External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on the issue and wanted the government to take a strong view. He later told reporters that the envoy should be recalled. PTI