Karunanidhi slams 'denial' of visa to documentary maker

CHENNAI: DMK chief M Karunanidhi today described as "cheap tactics" the reported denial of visa to a UK documentary film-maker who had released videos of alleged war-time atrocities against Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army.

India had reportedly denied visa to Callum Macrae, whoserecent video claims that a woman Tamil TV presenter who had served in the LTTE was executed after being captured by the troops and not during the final battle as claimed by the government. She was found dead with her clothes stripped.

"Denial of visa for Callum Macrae is not just against freedom of expression but also cheap tactics", the DMK leader said citing a Tamil anecdote.

Quoting Macrae's reported statement, Karunandhi said hehad applied for visa eight months back to release the video inNew Delhi.

Sri Lanka had dismissed the video documentary, aired onBritain's Channel 4 as "fake", saying attempts were being madeto discredit the army ahead of the Commonwealth conference.

"It is nothing new for Channel 4 to discredit Sri Lankaat important times such as the UN Human Rights Council sessions and the upcoming Commonwealth conference," military spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya had said.