Released Vaiko demands economic sanctions against Lanka

Chennai, Nov 6 (UNI) MDMK General Secretary Vaiko, who was released after 14 days judicial custody after being arrested for making pro-LTTE remarks, today appealed to the Centre to impose economic sanctions and cancel all trade agreements with Sri Lanka to force ceasefire in the strife-torn nation.

Talking to reporters after a City Magistrate ordered his release as the Tamil Nadu government did nor press for remand extension, Mr Vaiko said the Centre should exert pressure on the Sri lankan government by imposing economic sanctions and cancelling the trade pacts to stop the killing of innocent Eelam Tamils by the Lankan army.

He also urged the Centre to sever diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka.

Alleging that India was not interested in pressing for a ceasefire as it was supplying military aid, he charged that the Congress-led government at the Centre lacked ''political will'' to exert pressure on the Lankan government.

The Centre's decision to send 800 tonnes of relief materials was akin to hurting somebody physically and providing with medication.

''The relief package announced by the Centre and by the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, which is a key ally of the Congress-led government, is an eye wash as the Lankan government might not allow the relief materials to reach the affected Tamils'', Mr Vaiko charged.

UNI GV RL AS1838