Rajapaksa as PM threatens safety of Tamils in Sri Lanka, says Thambidurai

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a grievance redressal meeting at Thumbiwadi, Thambidurai pointed out that both Ranil Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa had visited India recently on separate occasions and met several leaders here.

“The purpose of those two visits is yet to be known but soon after this, Rajapaksa was sworn in as the Prime Minister,” he said.

Thambidurai claimed that Rajapaksa returning to power poses a problem to the Tamils living in Sri Lanka. “This is a conspiracy to finish off the Tamils in the country. 

There is no proper stand among the national parties in India on the Sri Lankan Tamils and it should be changed,” he said. He urged the Centre to closely monitor the issue and ensure the safety of the Tamils.

The senior AIADMK leader also quoted Rajapaksa’s statement that Indian forces contributed to the SL government achieving victory during the Eelam war in 2009. “The Congress was in power at the Centre then, while the DMK was the part of the government,” he added.

Meanwhile, Thambidurai said that due to the disqualification, 18 assembly constituencies do not have MLAs. “In Aravakurichi, I have been taking on the role of MLA since V Senthil Balaji has been disqualified,” he said, calling upon the disqualified MLAs to re-join the AIADMK.

Veteran director Bharathiraja on Sunday came down heavily on the appointment of Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister of the neighbouring country.

“Rajapaksa’s appointment comes as a rude shock for the entire Tamil community. Tamils living across the world will respond in the way that they are best known for,” said Bharathiraja at Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district.

He had gone there to inaugurate the renovated statue of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, in the presence of Minister for Information and Publicity Kadambur Raju.

The statue of Muthuramalingam Thevar, present in front of Travelers Bungalow, was constructed in 1981. As it was slightly damaged,  renovation works were carried out.

After the inauguration function, Bharathiraja praised Muthuramalingam Thevar for living a historical life.

“He served as a motivation to others and did not chase power and position. We did not see Buddha but Muthuramalingam Thevar was a Buddha,” the director said.

He also said that towards the latter part of his life, Muthuramalinga Thevar donated his land to Scheduled Castes and led an inspirational life.