While many quarters insist that India should no more be an observer but a partner in resolving Sri Lanka conflict, it is a matter forward, India has voiced concern for Tamils. India has remained silent for long, over the issue, perhaps because it had burnt its fingers by its earlier involvement in Sri Lankan affairs, the present escalation of violence against Tamils in the country and the increasing influx of Tamil refugees to India are forcing India's hands to intervene in Sri Lankan affairs.

Tamil Nadu is another factor. Both, the Opposition as well as the Government parties in Tamil Nadu expressed their concern and appealed to the Indian Central Government to intervene in Sri Lankan affairs.

Sri Lankan officials rushed to New Delhi, to explain the Government's present position. It was alarmed at the subtle change in Delhi's concern, when, a couple of months earlier, a telephone call from the Prime Minister of India made President Rajapakse suddenly order end to the high-handed air strikes the Government Forces were conducting over Eastern Muthur areas, displacing thousands of Tamil civilians and destroying property.

Mangala Samaraweera, the Foreign minister of Sri Lanka, who had to rush to Delhi then to appease Manmohan Singh, had to rush again now, to bolster relationship.

During the deliberations attended by M.K.Narayan, National Security Advisor and Shyam Saran, Foreign Secretary, the Indian premier listened to Mangala Samaraweera, but finally ruled that the security of the Sri Lankan Tamils was of paramount importance to India's interest and concern.

The Prime Minister of India had also urged the Lankan Foreign Minister to convey to the President the feelings of the Tamil Nadu people and India’s grave concern over the killings of innocent Tamils.

It is the consensus of the people that India must ensure that Sri Lanka doesn’t become another Iraq!

An English translation of the Editorial in Virakesari, a Tamil National daily, based in Colombo 24 June 2006

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