PM favours solution to Tamils issue within united Sri Lanka

Chennai, May 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
Saturday favoured a solution to the problems of Tamils within
the framework of a united and federal Sri Lanka,
notwithstanding Tamil parties including ally DMK (Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam) pitching for a separate Eelam.

"There can be no military solution to the problems of
Tamils in Sri Lanka. The legitimate aspirations of the
Tamil-speaking minority must be fulfilled within the framework
of a united and federal Sri Lanka through a negotiated and
peaceful settlement," he said in a statement circulated at a
press conference here in the southern Indian state of Tamil
Nadu.

The statement assumes significance in the backdrop of
AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and its
allies demanding separate Eelam as a solution for the problems
of Tamils. Even DMK had joined the bandwagon in demanding a
separate Eelam. (MORE) PTI