Reports of training of Lankan airmen 'regrettable': Vasan

Joining leaders of various political parties in Tamil Nadu voicing their concern over training of Sri Lankan airmen, Union Minister G K Vasan on Friday said the move was "unacceptable and regrettable".

Noting that the reports about imparting training to Sri Lankan airmen was a "big concern", Vasan said Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B S Gnanadesikan had already taken up the issue with central ministers.

"Today, he has gone to Delhi. He will definitely apprise serious concerns of Tamil Nadu to the ministers concerned in Delhi. I am sure there will be a full stop to this," the shipping minister told reporters when asked to comment on reports about training being imparted to nine Sri Lankan Air Force personnel at the Tambaram Air Force station.

He said resettling of Tamils was India's concern in Sri Lanka. "Not only that, we are equally concerned about giving equal powers to the Tamils as the way Sinhalese are getting in Sri Lanka. This is our concern," he said.

The reported training of Lankan Air Force personnel by India came in for sharp attack from various political parties in the state, with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa describing it as an "insult to Tamil people".

She, along with DMK president M Karunanidhi and others, demanded that the Lankan Air Force personnel be sent back.