Vaiko urges to stop giving economic assistance to Sri Lanka over Tamil row

New Delhi, Aug 4 (ANI): Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) Chief V. Gopalswamy, also known as Vaiko, has urged the Indian government to stop providing economic assistance to Sri Lanka, following the alleged 'war crimes' committed on the ethnic Tamil community by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government.

"Now we seek justice. The purpose of the crime of genocide by Mahinda Rajapaksa and his henchman, they should be tried in the international criminal court. The economic assistance should be stopped from India. The economic and commercial agreements entered within the Island of Sri Lanka and with the government of Sri Lanka should be revoked," said Vaiko.

A recent UN report accused Colombo of targeting Tamil civilians during the army onslaught on the militant outfit.

The report specifically accused the Rajapaksa government of widespread shelling, including targeting field hospitals, denial of humanitarian aid, and rights violations against people inside and outside the conflict zone on the northeastern coast of the island nation.

Releasing a video CD of alleged human rights violations by the Sri Lankan military, he also demanded that the United Nations conduct a referendum in northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka in which Tamils living abroad should also be allowed to participate.

"The international community should raise its voice to provide solace to deliver justice by organising a referendum. The north and east of that island of Sri Lanka permitting the Tamil diasporas also all over the world to participate in that referendum before that the army camps should be dismantled, the army and police should be called back and withdrawn from the Tamil areas," Vaiko said.

Extending solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils, Vaiko said he had requested the government of India to not support Sri Lanka in the Human Rights Council of the United Nations.

On claims that the video footage released by UK based Channel 4 on human rights violation in Sri Lanka was forged, Vaiko cleared that a three-member UN panel has proved that the CD was genuine.

"The UN expert who is handling these extra judicial killings, the United Nations repertoire, Mr. Richard Heins has publicly made a statement, the Channel 4 video footage, every frame by frame is genuine and he has submitted a report to the Human Rights Council itself on June 1 this year stating that what has happened there is a highest order of war crimes," he added. (ANI)