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PMK opposes humanitarian aid to Lanka

The Pattali Makkal Katchi, a partner in the National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre, on Tuesday said that India's offer of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka went against the decision taken by the NDA's allies.

In a letter to External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, who returned to Delhi after meeting the Lankan president, PMK founder leader Dr Ramadoss said his party was 'slightly upset' over the offer of credit facility ($100 million) to Sri Lanka, besides food articles on a counter-trade basis.

This would tilt the balance in favour of the Sinhalese and moreover, the offer was not in consonance with the decision taken by the NDA's partners, he said.

"The move would directly encourage state terrorism against the Tamils," he said, adding that the offer was not different from the military assistance extended to the island nation by Pakistan and Israel.

Asking the union government to reconsider its decision, Dr Ramadoss wanted the government to pursue a process of political settlement honouring the sentiments of the Tamil minorities. "We can provide all assistance when peace is restored," he added.

UNI

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