"Visits of the Indian army and navy chiefs to Colombo and the Indo-Sri Lanka defence agreement, expected to be signed next week in New Delhi during President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s visit, had caused apprehension among Tamils that preparations are underway for the resumption of hostilities," said Ms Pathmini Sithamparanathan, Jaffna district TNA parliamentarian in a press release issued Tuesday.
Indian military chief N.C.Vij is currently in Sri Lanka meeting heads of the armed forces and government leaders. Last month the Indian navy chief visited Sri Lanka.
"Tamils still want to strengthen the relationship with India. Tamils heaved a sigh of relief when the Government of India announced that it would support the peace process brokered by Norway. However, Tamils have been marginalized by India, which is working closely with the Sri Lankan government without consulting Tamil sections," Ms Sithamparanathan pointed out in her statement
"Tamils, feel that the proposed defense agreement between India and Sri Lanka would encourage Sinhala rulers to prepare for another war abandoning the current peace process", said Ms. Sithamparanathan.
"Sinhala governments in power never accepted the legitimate aspirations of Tamils with sincerity. Due to international pressure the Sinhala rulers accept mediations, negotiations and submit proposals, but have not taken steps towards finding a permanent political resolution to the ethnic conflict.
"The Indian government should rethink signing a defense agreement with the Sinhala political leadership that never kept its agreements and pacts entered into with the Tamil leaderships in past, Ms Sithamparanathan said.
