Tamil leaders meet Manmohan Singh on Sri Lankan Tamil issue

New Delhi, Dec 4 : An all-party delegation from Tamil Nadu led by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today to seek the intervention of Central Government to resolve Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

The delegation comprising lawmakers from Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) urged Dr. Singh to ask Colombo to stop the military actions against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and settle the ethnic issue in a peaceful manner.

They also demanded that the government should prevail upon the Sri Lankan Government to announce an immediate ceasefire in fighting between the Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE.

Speaking to the media after the meeting KV. Thangabalu, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee Chief, said, "We appealed to Dr. Singh that an immediate ceasefire has to take place in Sri Lanka to solve the ethnic issue."

"The Prime Minister assured us that he will take all possible measure and steps to see that a political solution is met and achieved," he added.

Sri Lanakan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 13 during his visit to New Delhi ruled out possibility of ceasefire till the rebels laid down Arms.

ANI