India’s Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan on Friday wanted the Union government to keep in abeyance its proposal to supply two warships to Sri Lanka until the problem of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested and allegedly attacked by the Sri Lankan Navy was resolved.

“Though it is an old pact between the two countries, people in Tamil Nadu feel that India should not help Sri Lanka in the present situation. I only echo their feelings and all pacts between the two countries should be kept in abeyance,” he told The Hindu.

Mr. Vasan said that on the one hand, fishermen were harassed by the Sri Lankan navy, and, on the other, they were arrested and remanded in judicial custody. “This shows the inhuman attitude of the Sri Lankan government. If this continued and fishermen are subjected to harassment, it will strain the relationship between the two countries.”

Mr. Vasan said protecting the 13th amendment was now paramount to securing Tamils their rights in Sri Lanka.

Former Indian Minister to attend UNHRC session

Former Indian Minister Anbumani Ramadoss will attend the session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission on September 25 when its commissioner Navaneetham Pillay is expected to submit a report on her visit to the war-torn Sri Lanka and the problems of the Tamil community.

Dr. Anbumani, representing Pasumai Thayagam, an organisation espousing the cause of environment and human rights, said even four and half years after the war, there were no efforts to bring to book those responsible for the killing of Tamil civilians in the last phase of war.

Human rights organisations across the world will take part in the meeting at Geneva and Dr Anbumani will press for a referendum among the Tamils for creation of a separate Eelam by merging East and Northern provinces of Sri Lanka. - The Hindu