Karunanidhi writes to Modi on 13.02.2015

13-2-2015
Dear Prime Minister,
Please accept my kind greetings.

On the eve of the forthcoming visit of His Excellency, the President of Sri Lanka, Thiru Maithripala SiriSena to New Delhi, I am sending this letter concerning the continuing plight and persecution of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Thiru SiriSena was able to win the Presidential Elections mainly due to the massive support of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The Tamils willingly voted for him as they ardently believed that Thiru SiriSena would bring to an end the long-drawn chapter of unconstitutional discrimination and unchecked inhumanity meted out to them in a very crafty and calculated manner by the erstwhile regime of the Island-Nation. They also earnestly relied on the promises made to them by Thiru SiriSena and his electoral alliance.

They were convinced beyond doubt that the Army posted in the Tamil Areas would be withdrawn, the lands and houses forcibly occupied by the Army and the Sinhalese would be returned to the Tamils, they would not be treated as Second Class Citizens anymore and that all necessary steps would be taken for their peaceful living ensuring dignity and self-respect and that the 13^th Amendment, which has been put on hold for nearly three decades, would be implemented in letter and spirit.

But what is now happening in Sri Lanka has upset the Tamils. The promises and announcements are too many and what has been achieved is either Nil or Very Little. What can be done in a couple of days has not been done and there are no positive signals towards what should be done within a time-frame.

Army has not been withdrawn from the Tamil Areas and the Lands and Houses belonging to the Tamils have not been returned. Even the Check-posts curtailing the movements of Tamils have not been removed and Governmental Surveillance infringing personal liberties of Tamils has not been lifted.

To make things worse, Sri Lankan President Thiru SiriSena has, on 2-2-2015, issued a Notification “Calling out all the Members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air-Force) for the maintenance of public order” in the areas traditionally by the Tamils. (Copy enclosed) This Presidential  Notification will result in adverse consequences.  

The International Community of Tamils are of the view that the much talked-about 13th Amendment is not the panacea, as it does not devolve powers relating to fundamental areas of administration like Land and Police. Therefore, if the New Government in Sri Lanka comes forward to implement the 13th Amendment, as has been promised, it will be the first step towards a long journey of true and effective devolution of powers.

What the Tamils in Sri Lanka have been craving is a lasting political solution. We have been advocating a Referendum to be conducted among the Sri Lankan Tamils living all over the world, under the supervision of the UNO, to enable them to choose a political solution, they desire.

The entire world is aware of the war-crimes, international law violations, human right violations, and genocide, ruthlessly
committed by the Sri Lankan Government in the past. Attempts for a probe into all these atrocities by an International Agency have been thwarted by the Sinhala Government.

Now that the Sri Lankan Northern Provincial Council has passed a Resolution calling for an International probe into Genocide, I request you to kindly consider moving a suitable resolution in the U.N.H.R.C.

In this connection, it may please be recalled that the TESO (Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organisation) headed by me, passed a Resolution, more than once, that the Government of India should move the UNHRC for an International Probe into the Genocide in Sri Lanka and bring the persons responsible to book. I understand that the Committee appointed by the UNHRC to enquire into the Human Rights Violations of the Rajpakse Government is going to submit its Report in the meeting of the UNHRC to be held next month.

The Community of the Tamils anxiously expect the Government of India to support adoption of the Report in the
UNHRC.

You are aware of the unending sufferings of the Tamilnadu Fishermen going out for fishing in the Sea at the hands of the Sri Lankan Navy and Sinhala Fishermen. I will be grateful if you could kindly discuss with the Sri Lankan President for arriving at a lasting solution to the problems of the Tamilnadu Fishermen.

The Tamils in Sri Lanka and in a number of other countries want Justice to be rendered to them at least now for all the ills thrust upon them for the last Sixty years. The modern history of Sri Lankan Tamils has been full of blood-shed, frustration and disappointment and time has now come to change this tearful course. I appeal to you to objectively take stock of the situations in Sri Lanka and take all necessary steps to fulfil the long-felt aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils. We, the people of Tamil Nadu and diaspora Tamils, await positive results from your discussions with the Sri Lankan President.

Best Wishes and Kind Regards,
Yours sincerely,
Sd/- (M. Karunanidhi.)

To
Hon’ble Thiru Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of India,
New Delhi.