India-SL talks did not focus on critical Tamil issues: CPI

CPI today expressed dismay over the statements of Indian and Sri Lanka Prime Ministers, saying issues concerning the critical problems of Tamils have not figured in their talks which merely focused on economic and military cooperation.
Party national secretary D Raja also sought "reopening" the agreement on Katchatheevu island to ensure the traditional rights of the Indian fishermen.
"Nothing new in the announcements, except for their focus on economic and military cooperation. There is nothing new with regard to bilateral issues," he said.
"As far as the fishermen issue is concerned, the two Prime Ministers have not spoken about the Katchatheevu island issue. The agreement on Katchatheevu must be reopened and re-negotiated as it would ensure the traditional rights of the Indian fishermen," he stated.

Maintaining that the talks did not address the pressing issues such as returning the land occupied by the Lankan army and Sinhalese in Tamil areas, Raja sought the release of political prisoners.
"Tamil people voted against Rajapakse. Tamils have genuine demands such as withdrawal of the army from Tamil dominated areas and returning the land taken over by the army and Sinhalese to the respective Tamil people."
The CPI leader further said that the Sri Lankan Government must take "credible" steps for addressing the critical issues of Tamils and ensure justice to them.