India on Thursday summoned Sri Lankan High Commissioner to seek clarification on his remarks about alleged connection between some Tamil Parliamentarians and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, after which the envoy apologised for causing "discontent" and "distress" to the MPs.
Prasad Kariyawasam was called to the external affairs ministry where Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Joint Secretary (Sri Lanka), conveyed India's concern in the matter and sought clarification about his comments alleging "friendship" between some members of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the LTTE which, he said, should be investigated by New Delhi.
"....the MEA has expressed concern about the tone and content. I am very sorry about that because that is not what I meant. I have lot of respect for Tamil Nadu Parliamentarians. Some of them are good friends....
"I would like to apologise to MPs of Tamil Nadu if I have caused any discontent or concern or distress in their minds. That is not what I meant. What I meant was LTTE lobby groups, abroad and elsewhere in the region as well, are carrying on a campaign of misinformation and try to disrupt our efforts to find reconciliation.....," he told media persons.
The high commissioner was earlier quoted by media as saying that the "friendship" of some of the DMK, AIADMK MPs and MDMK's Vaiko with the LTTE may have led them to carry on a campaign against Sri Lanka.
Kariyawasam said Shringla "expressed very clearly the concerns of the Indian government" over his reported remarks.
On his country's expectation from India on the US-sponsored resolution at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, he said," I have discussed... India is a responsible power and it will take right decision."
