Panneerselvam sought to know what was wrong in his government's stand that the meeting, where India and Sri Lanka discussed the matter on January 30, should be held only after the goodwill and rehabilitation efforts of the Maithiripala Sirisena-led government were implemented.
"Neutral observers will accept that such a decision was taken because of our concern for the refugees here," he said.
"Our stand is that Tamils living in camps in Sri Lanka should be rehabilitated first and only after that the meeting about repatriation of refugees should have been held," he said in a statement.
Panneerselvam had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking deferment of the January 30 meeting, saying it was premature since the situation was not conducive for repatriation of Tamil refugees.
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Panneerselvam criticised Karunanidhi on Sri Lankan Tamils issue, saying the previous UPA regime, in which the DMK was a key constituent, had helped Colombo with military equipment and expertise to face the rebel LTTE in ethnic clash that saw heavy Tamil civilian casualties.
He also accused him of enacting a series of 'dramas' for demanding ceasefire such as conducting all-party meeting, holding human chain and holding a 'three hour fast' here, besides other 'eye-wash' activities.
The ruling AIADMK has been delivering various welfare measures for Sri Lankan refugees in the state, with his predecessor J Jayalalithaa expanding government schemes to benefit them, he said.
While the Centre had allocated Rs 37.30 crore for them in 2013-14, the state government had spent Rs 111 crore for their welfare, he said.