Jayalalitha will continue persuading centre for the rights for Sri Lankan Tamil

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said her government would continue to persuade the Centre for establishing the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils and she would meet Northern Province Chief Minister C V Vigneswaran at a "mutually convenient time".

In a reply to a recent letter of Vigneswaran, who congratulated her on winning the state assembly polls, she said, "As a Chief Minister of the state, I have taken steps to establish the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils during the last five years.

"I wish to inform you that I will continue to take steps through the Centre for getting justice for Tamils living in the Northern Province," she said.

Both the letters were today released by the state government.

Vigneswaran congratulated Jayalalithaa on winning the May 16 elections and said he looked forward to meet her.

"You have contested the polls without allying with any political party and it is a matter of pride. We express our happiness as you have returned back to power and we recognise the welfare schemes launched by your government has received tremendous support," he said.

He said the people of Northern Province have strong relations with Tamil Nadu and wanted to meet Jayalalithaa to discuss areas of mutual interest.

"I expect our relations further get strengthened and I am keen to know about the areas that will be of mutual interests through a meeting with you," the Northern Province Chief Minister said.

Jayalalithaa in her reply said, "We will meet at a mutually convenient time".