TN political parties condole Balasingham's death

Chennai, Dec 15 (UNI) Leaders of various political parties in Tamil Nadu today condoled the death of LTTE ideologue Anton Balasingham in London yesterday.

Expressing anguish over the death, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said he was not able to bear the loss of Mr Balasingham, with whom he had a very long association.

Mr Karunanidhi said although besieged with illness, Mr Balasingham's heart went out for the Sri Lankan Tamils and he worked closely with the Norwegian Peace Committee to find a peaceful solution to the ethnic crisis.

An intellect and hard worker, he preserved the self-respect of Eelam Tamils till his last breath, Mr Karunanidhi said and expressed his condolences to Mr Balasingham's wife and friends.

In his message, PMK leader S Ramadoss, a staunch supporter of Lankan Tamils, said like the Eelam Tamils, he also expressed shock over the death.

It was an irreparable loss to the Eelam Tamils, who wee fighting for their self-respect and political rights.

Dr Balsingham represented the voice of Lankan Tamils and his death comes at a time when the whole world was exerting pressure for a negotiated settlement to the ethnic crisis, Dr Ramadoss added.

MDMK General Secretary Vaiko recalled the colossal services rendered by Mr Balasingham for the rights of Eelam Tamils and said the Tamil Eelam had lost a heroic son.

DPI General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan also condoled the death.

UNI TEAM-GV VD BD2005