Thaindian News

Chennai, Nov 12 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu assembly Wednesday passed a unanimous resolution asking the central government to press for negotiations between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government as well as an immediate ceasefire in the island nation.”It has been unanimously resolved that the Indian government should use its good offices to get the Sri Lankan regime to agree to an immediate ceasefire to alleviate the sufferings of Tamils (in the northern part of the island) since the other (warring) side has offered to do so. This house demands the immediate halt of military operations and start political, peaceful negotiations to find a solution to the Tamil question,” a statement issued here said.

The resoultion was moved by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

The statement added that “over 700 million agitated and angry Indian Tamils are united (with their brethren in Sri Lanka) and affected by the sad state of affairs”.

“The Indian government must make efforts to assure the Tamils in Sri Lanka of the security of their life, property…and an equal (right to) exist (alongwith the majority Sinhalese),” the resolution said.

“The endeavours of the centre and the state to send relief materials to the suffering Tamils through the auspices of international organisations like the Red Cross and the United Nations will not alleviate the travails adequately,” it added.

The resolution came while Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa was in New Delhi for an official visit.