Take steps to safeguard Tamils: Sonia to Lanka

“The first step would,obviously,be cessation of hostilities,” she said in a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

The Congress chief said her party and the UPA government was committed for a negotiated settlement with a devolution package to ensure “equality and equal rights for Sri Lankan Tamils within the framework of a united Sri Lanka”.

In her letter,a copy of which was circulated to media here,she said the ongoing conflict and extreme suffering of thousands of innocent Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka,especially women and children,caused deep anguish to everyone.

Recalling Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent letter to Karunanidhi,she said the government has been constantly in touch with authorities in Colombo on a number of proposals,in particular on the cessation of hostilities,so as to enable all innocent people to move to safety zones.

Sonia said Congress has for nearly three decades espoused the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka and has urged successive Sri Lankan governments to ensure that all communities,including the Tamil speaking people,were guaranteed and enjoy equal rights within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.

“I would like to assure you that our Prime Minister has spoken for us all in the Congress party in his letter to you where he enumerated the steps taken by the UPA government in relation to recent events in Sri Lanka,” she added.

In his March 25 letter to Karunanidhi,Singh said the Sri Lankan President affirmed his commitment to bring about a devolution package “fully satisfying” Tamils.

“We may wait and see what steps are being fully taken in this regard,” he had said.

In her letter,Sonia appreciated Karunanidhi’s views and sentiments about the alliance between Congress and DMK. She expressed confidence that the alliance would do well in Lok Sabha polls.

“I am reassured that you are personally taking steps to see to the good performance of the alliance,” she said.