Facing immense outrage over an alleged derogatory article posted on its website, Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry on Friday tendered unqualified apology to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

“An article titled ‘How meaningful are Jayalalitha’s love letters to Narendra Modi?’ had appeared on our website along with a graphical portrayal of Hon. Prime Minister of India and Hon Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”

“The article which had been published without appropriate authorization and not reflecting any official position of the Government of Sri Lanka or Ministry of Defence and Urban Development has since been removed.”

“We extend an unqualified apology to the Hon Prime Minister of India and Hon Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,” the defence ministry said in statement posted on its website.

Hours after the article was published, it led to political furore accompanied by protests by AIADMK and Tamil outfits in various parts of the state besides NDA allies demanding India severe ties with Colombo even as the piece was later removed from the website.

Earlier in the day, Jayalalithtaa had urged PM Modi to seek unconditional apology from Sri Lankan government over the derogatory article that criticised Tamil Nadu government for raising the issue of attacks on Indian fishermen.

The article evoked strong protests in the Indian Parliament with CPI condemning it and asking the Centre to seek an apology from Colombo.

CPI National Secretary D Raja, who gave a notice of suspension of Question Hour in Rajya Sabha over the issue, said the article carrying “nasty comments” on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the fishermen issue, was later taken off the site following protests.

“The Government of India should condemn it, register a strong protest with the Government of Sri Lanka and demand an apology from them,” he said, adding that the issue “will not die” even though the article has been removed from the site.

“How can they target an elected Chief Minister of a state who has been taking up the issue with our Union Government,” Raja said.

Attacking the Sri Lankan government, he said it does not have any respect for international opinion even after the UNHRC and other global fora have condemned attacks on Tamil people and Indian fishermen.

“Sri Lanka does not want any credible probe into the war crimes and gross human rights violations which took place during the war on the Tamil people,” the CPI leader said, adding that “such a government is now abusing an elected Chief Minister, which will not be tolerated”.

With inputs from PTI/Zee News