Expectations galore in Tamil Nadu over PM Narendra Modi's Sri Lanka visit

CHENNAI: A solution for the decades old Tamils issue, ending the travails of Tamil Nadu fishermen, are among the several expectations in the state over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two day visit to Sri Lanka on March 13 and 14.

"During his discussions with the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister Modi should take up in detail the Tamils issue and the fishermen's problem," DMK chief Karunanidhi said here today in a statement.

"Since the Lankan President valued relations with India, Modi should use the opportunity to solve Tamils issues," he added.

"We hope for a permanent solution to end the serious problems faced by our fishermen. Till such time it happens, we urge Prime Minister Modi to try and arrive at a framework which allows our fishers to peacefully carry on their profession," U Arulanantham of the Alliance for Release of Innocent Fishermen said. .

"Last month 86 fishermen were arrested along with their 10 boats, they should be released," he added.

During his visit, Modi is set to inaugurate a slew of development projects in Sri Lanka and will meet the entire spectrum of political leadership in that country, including those of Tamil National Alliance and All Ceylon Tamil parties.

"We expect that the talk would help evolve consensus in resolving the fishermen issue permanently," BJP National Secretary H Raja said.

"We are hopeful that his visit will help ensure safety security and equality for Tamils in Sri Lanka," he said.

"Tamils in Sri Lanka should get all the rights of Sinhala people and Modi should remember the past of Tamils' there while dealing with the present," CPI state Secretary R Mutharasan said.

He called for an end to the travails of Tamil Nadu fishermen at the hands of Lankan Navy.

"The 13th amendment must be implemented and all steps must be taken to ensure that Tamils get equal rights in every sphere," CPI(M) state Secretary G Ramakrishnan said.

The view of Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe that Indian fishermen will be shot at if they transgressed the borders was strongly condemnable, he said and urged Modi to find a solution to the issue.