Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution for India to boycott CHOGM regrettable: Lankan envoy

Expressing regret over a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly demanding that India should boycott this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India, Prasad Kariyawasam on Thursday said the resolution is based on misinformation, and invited Tamil Nadu leaders to visit his country to assess the situation on ground themselves.

"We regret this resolution by Tamil Nadu, because it is based on misinformation, not knowing the real facts on the ground. We invite leaders of Tamil Nadu to visit Sri Lanka and see things for themselves, base their finding on facts on the ground, and then talk about Sri Lanka. We are friends with the people of Tamil Nadu what is happening now is an aberration," he said.

He further said that India's presence is not only important for the Commonwealth meeting, but also for regional development.

"Our External Affairs Minister came to Delhi to invite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh personally, because, we think India is a very important country, not only for the Commonwealth, but also for the region and for the world. India's presence is important for the Commonwealth meeting and for Sri Lanka, being a friendly neighbour," he added.

Commenting on whether Manmohan Singh should attend this meeting despite resentment from the people of Tamil Nadu, Kariyawasam said CHOGM is not a bilateral event, it is a multilateral meeting, and also expressed the hope of seeing India present in full force.

"It's a matter for the Indian Prime Minister and the Indian Government to decide. We cannot tell great Indian leaders what do to. These are multi lateral meetings; these are not bilateral visits. Many leaders are coming, and we would like to see our great neighbour India in full force," he added.

Earlier in the day, the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Union Government to boycott CHOGM, which would be held in Colombo in November.

The resolution said India should not send even representatives for the meeting being hosted by Sri Lanka. "The Indian Government should also take steps to get Sri Lanka suspended from the CHOGM until the Island nation ensures Tamils get equal rights at par with the Sinhalese," the resolution said.

This resolution, which was moved by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, was hailed by many political parties, including the DMK, the DMDK, the Congress, the CPI and the CPM.