India's support should not be forgotten - minister

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Though India voted in favour of the US resolution at the Geneva Human Rights Council on alleged human rights violations due to Karunanidhi's decision, we should not forget India's support during the humanitarian operation, said Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma.

Addressing the certificate awarding ceremony of the youth who completed English and computer courses which were jointly organized by National Youth Corps and the Sabaragamuwa University, minister Alahapperuma said that Karunanidhi informed the Indian government that he will resign from the government, if India voted against the resolution.

So India voted against Sri Lanka. "But we should not forget that India gave it's fullest support to win the war without considering South India's concerns, the minister added.

"Most Sri Lankans were in doubt what will happen at the Geneva Human Rights Council.

"While 24 out of 47 countries including India voted in favour of the resolution against Sri Lanka, 15 countries voted against the resolution supporting Sri Lanka. Eight countries abstained from casting their vote.

"Those countries who refrained from voting also supported us.

But India voted against Sri Lanka due to an internal matter of the Indian government,and not because Sri Lanka violated human rights," he said.

The minister also said that the Indian Lok Sabha at present comprises 545 members. But two members from Kashmir were not present. So the total number of members are 543. It is necessary to have 273 members to establish a government.

Only 206 seats were received by the Congress party at the last election. Therefore, it is with the support of Karunanidhi and some other parties that the present government was formed.

So the Indian government had to listen to Karunanidhi.

"When we look at the countries which voted against us, eleven were from Europe, six countries from South America and the rest were imperialst countries. When we consider all these facts, it is clear that it is those countries which forced us to stop the war were the ones which voted in favour of the resolution against Sri Lanka. "These countries always tried to protect the LTTE," the minister said.