Lok Sabha Debates
Issue Regarding Commonwealth Conference In Colombo. on 20 August, 2013
> Title: Issue regarding Commonwealth Conference in Colombo.
DR. M. THAMBIDURAI (KARUR): Madam Speaker, I have already given a notice for adjournment regarding the issue that India must boycott participating in the Commonwealth Conference, which is going to take place in Colombo. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has already written a letter to the hon. Prime Minister asking him not to participate in the Commonwealth Conference which is going to take place in Colombo. In this regard, there is a deep sense of outrage among the Tamils all over the world and especially in Tamil Nadu over the issue of war crimes and genocide perpetrated against the Sri Lankan Tamils by the Sri Lankan Army. Canada has already decided not to participate in the Commonwealth Conference. In the circumstances, if India participates, we will be again indirectly encouraging the Sri Lankan Government which is not making any effort to solve the Sri Lankan problem. Therefore, I would request the Indian Government to accept the suggestion given by the hon. Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu not to participate in the Commonwealth Conference and boycott it. We want an assurance from the Central Government in this regard. Also, I would request that not only the Prime Minister, no representative should attend the Commonwealth conference which is going to take place in November...… (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER:
Shri P.R. Natarajan, Shri Shivkumar Udasi, Shri Ramesh Vishwanath Katti associate themselves with Dr. M. Thambidurai on this issue.
… (Interruptions)
SHRI T.K.S. ELANGOVAN (CHENNAI NORTH): Madam Speaker, The Government of Sri Lanka is not a friendly country. … (Interruptions) Our Government says that it is a friendly country whereas Sri Lanka has decided to violate the bilateral agreement signed between Rajiv Gandhi and Jayawardene. … (Interruptions) They are arresting our fishermen within our maritime boundary. They are not helping the Tamils. They are accused of human rights violations and genocide. So, we want the Government not to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which is to be held in Colombo in the month of November. … (Interruptions) If the Government decides to participate, that is an insult to the people of Tamil Nadu who are day in and day out suffering in the hands of the Army and the Navy of Sri Lanka. … (Interruptions) The lives of our fishermen are in peril; their livelihood is in peril. In this situation, the Government of India should boycott attending this conference to be held at Colombo in the month of November. ..… (Interruptions)
श्री शैलेन्द्र कुमार (कौशाम्बी):मैडम, हमने एडजर्नमेंट का नोटिस दिया है। ...( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : हमने आपको एसोशिएट कर दिया है।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : आप बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : रेवती रमण सिंह, जी आप बोलिए।
…( व्यवधान)