Tamil Nadu's VCK asks Sonia Gandhi to press for Lanka cease-fire

Chennai, Apr 8 (ANI): In the wake of reports of the Sri Lankan army capturing the last stronghold of the LTTE in Sri Lanka, the pro-Eelam Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) on Wednesday appealed to Congress President Sonia Gandhi to press for a ceasefire in the island-nation.

Addressing a press conference in Chennai, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan said, "Sonia Gandhi should deal with the situation from a humanitarian point of view...she is the last hope of the Sri Lankan Tamils and has the power to press for a ceasefire with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse."

The VCK is part of the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK)-Congress alliance in the coming elections.

DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had on Tuesday made a similar appeal to Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

"Save the total Tamil race in Sri Lanka from being completely wiped out - ensure ceasefire and initiate peace talks immediately," he said in the telegram, a copy of which was released to the media last night.

Karunanidhi also announced he would lead a "Tamils rally" in Chennai on Thursday to express solidarity with Lankan Tamils and urged all political parties to join it. (ANI)