Sri Lanka dismisses moves to block trade with south India

Xinhua: Sri Lanka’s government has rejected efforts to block trade with southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and has insisted that economic relations should not be disrupted despite political tensions, an official said here on Thursday.

“There were reports regarding a protest by a port employees’ organization, which said that their members will refrain from handling or processing Indian supplies due to the situation in Tamil Nadu. I am confident that such a situation will not arise,” Port and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardana told media.

The pro-government trade union coalition named the “ Organization for Protecting Harbor Solidarity” held a protest campaign before the main gate of the Colombo harbor on Tuesday.

The Convener of the organization Sanjaya Kumara Weligama told local media that the protest was a severe warning to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram and other politicians who in recent weeks have attempted to push the Indian central government into taking a tough stance on the Sri Lankan government’s human rights record.

It is estimated that around 40 percent of the 5-billion-U.S.- dollar trade between Sri Lanka and India pass through Tamil Nadu to the Colombo port.

Parallel to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has passed a second resolution calling on the Sri Lankan government to upgrade human rights and implement stronger reconciliation measures, south Indian politicians also have launched a strong attack on Colombo.

DMK, a powerful party in Tamil Nadu, pulled out of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government, demanding that tough action be taken on Sri Lanka and investigations be pushed though on allegations of war crimes -- an issue that has been festering since the three-decade war ended in 2009.

Incensed by what they saw as lack of action by the Indian central government, citizens in Tamil Nadu took to the streets in vociferous protests.

Two Buddhist monks and 16 Sri Lankan tourists were also attacked. This provoked counter protests in Sri Lanka with groups handing over petitions to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayaram then banned Sri Lankan cricketers from playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), a lucrative extravaganza with millions of fans.

The Sri Lankan government has steadfastly refused to engage in Tamil Nadu despite worsening relations.