By NNN-PTI,
Chennai, India : Launching a day-long fast to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils, AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa today slammed the Centre and the DMK government in Tamil Nadu state for not having any “genuine concern” for the Tamils in the island nation.
“The UPA Government failed miserably by not despatching immediate humanitarian aid. Why did not the Government send relief material such as food, medicines and clothes? The Centre, as well as the ruling DMK (which is a constituent of the UPA) have no genuine concerns for the (Sri Lankan) Tamil people,” she said.
Jayalalithaa said though the fast, aimed at pressuring the Centre to use its good offices with Sri Lanka to declare an immediate ceasefire in the island nation, “would not bring relief to the “hunger-struck Tamils,” it would, however, convey the “sentiments and anger of the people of Tamil Nadu against the State and Central governments.” (One Lakh:100,000)
Announcing that her party would collect funds for the Sri Lankan Tamils, she made the first personal contribution of Rs five lakh.