PM Modi's Lanka visit must ensure Tamils are treated at par: DMK

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 12 (ANI): The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) on Thursday asked Prime Minster Narendra Modi, who is currently on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka, to ensure that the Indian-origin Tamils are treated at par with the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka and no disparities emerge between the two ethnic communities. "I don't think this visit by the Prime Minister will do any good to the Tamils living in the island until they are treated at par with the Sri Lankan Sinhalese. Since they are also natives of Sri Lanka, there should not be any disparities between two ethnic communities. Only the Prime Minister can ensure that all entire citizens of Sri Lanka, including Tamils are treated at par," DMK leader T.K.S. Elangovan told ANI. Prime Minister Modi was received by his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Colombo airport. They discussed various issues that concern with the growing cooperation between the two countries. However, no MoUs were signed at the meeting. Prime Minister Modi also met President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena. After their meeting, President Sirisena took to Twitter to praise Prime Minister Modi and said it was "wonderful" to meet him. "It is wonderful to meet this great human being @narendramodi in Colombo again. Thank you for gracing #InternationalVesakDay," he tweeted. Today, Prime Minister will deliver a celebratory address at the Bandarnaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BIMCH) on the occasion of International Vesak Day. He will address the Indian origin Tamil community at Norwood Grounds. (ANI)