Vaiko, other leaders demand inquiry into the killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka

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A group of leaders, including Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, on Tuesday demanded an inquiry into the killing of Tamils during the final phase of the war in Sri Lanka.

The group also called for a referendum, under the guidance of the United Nations, for a separate Eelam.

“The Sri Lankan Army and Sinhalese settlers in Tamil areas should be evicted. Tamils in Tamil Nadu and the Tamil diaspora should take initiative in this regard,” said a joint statement by Mr. Vaiko, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) leader M.H. Jawahirullah, Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan, and other leaders.

They alleged that the Sri Lankan government had scuttled demands for an inquiry into the killing of Tamils and diluted calls for a separate Tamil country.

“Tamil Desiya Makkal Munnani, through its demand to the Indian government for autonomy for Tamils, has enacted a farcical drama and betrayed the Tamils,” they said.

The leaders said that although the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka had quashed the recommendation of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of 1987 for the merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the Indian government had failed to take note of the development.

“India and Cuba, with the support of 29 countries, adopted a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council praising the Sri Lankan government and Mahinda Rajapaksa [former President of Sri Lanka]. Both the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Congress have failed to condemn the annihilation of Tamils by the Sri Lankan government,” the statement further said.