Only India can help find a lasting solution : Lankan minister

Chennai, Jan 12 (UNI) Against the backdrop of increasing hostilities between Sri Lankan the army and the LTTE, a Sri Lankan Minister today sought India's support to find a lasting solution to the decades-long ethnic crisis in the strife-torn nation.

''India alone can help find a lasting solution to the ethnic problem in the island nation'', Sri Lankan Minister for Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication P Chandrasekaran said today, talking to newpersons here after a meeting with PMK founder- leader Dr S Ramadoss, a staunch supporter of Eelam Tamils.

He said India was the only country which has the strength and capability to find a solution to the burning issue.

''India cannot remain a mute spectator to the attacks on innocent Tamils and the human rights violations taking place in Sri Lanka.

Its intervention is a must to arrive at a political settlement to the issue'', he said and added that this was the expectation of the Lankan Tamils as well.

''India should play its due role in this regard to end the sufferings of the Tamils'', he added.

The Lankan Minister, who met Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan yesterday, said he had sought an appointment to meet with Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to apprise him of the prevailing situation in the neighbouring country.

On the Sri Lankan government's decision to abrogate the 2002 ceasefire agreement with the LTTE, which is fighting for a separate Tamil Eelam, Mr Chandrasekaran described it as an act against human rights. '''It will affect the livelihood of the Tamils'', he added.

Talking to newpersons later, Dr Ramadoss demanded India's immediate intervention and said a political solution should be found within the next three months.

''If a solution to the ethnic issue is not found in the next three months, India should exert pressure on Sri Lanka that the diplomatic relations between the two countries will take a different turn'', he added.

''Mr Karunanidhi, for his part, should show the way in this regard'', Dr Ramadoss added.

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