Don't sell warships to Sri Lanka, Karunanidhi tells Centre

Chennai: DMK President M Karunanidhi has slammed the Centre for deciding to build and supply two warships to Sri Lanka.

Mr Karunanidhi said, "The news report proves the charge levied by some that the Indian government helps only Sri Lanka and is not concerned about Indian fishermen or the Lankan Tamils."

Urging the Centre to reconsider its decision, Mr Karunanidhi commented that Sri Lanka will use the warships to attack Indian fishermen.

Mr Karunanidhi said his party did not believe the charge that Indian government helped Sri Lanka during the civil war in 2009.

In 2009, the DMK was part of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Mr Karunanidhi also urged the central government to take steps to release 107 Indian fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan jails.