Sri Lankan envoy apologises to MPs for LTTE remark

New Delhi:  The Sri Lankan High Commissioner has apologised for  recent remarks which suggested that MPs from Tamil Nadu had been lobbied by members of the LTTE to object to the alleged war crimes of the Sri Lankan government. "If they are sympathetic to the LTTE cause, the Indian authorities should investigate into the matter," he had said in an interview. 

Prasad Kariyawasam issued his apology after he was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to explain his interview.
Mr Kariyawasam said the Indian foreign ministry official who met him "expressed very clearly the concerns of the Indian government" over his reported remarks. "I would like to apologise to the MPs of Tamil Nadu if I have caused any discontent or concern or distress in their minds," the High Commissioner said. "What I meant was LTTE lobby groups, abroad and elsewhere in the region as well, are carrying on a campaign of mis-information ."
In the Rajya Sabha, Mr Kariyawasam's remarks created a storm today.  D Raja of the Left along with members of  the AIADM K and DMK said that the envoy had violated diplomatic norms.  Trichy Siva of the DMK moved a privilege motion against him which basically means that the High Commissioner has disregarded the rights and immunities of MPs and could be held punishable by law.
MPs of parties from Tamil Nadu have been demanding that India vote against Sri Lanka at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

America, Norway and France have moved the resolution which asks for a detailed investigation into alleged war crimes and human rights violations by the Sri Lankan government against  the island 's Tamils, as well as LTTE members.

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