The Centre has initiated informal discussions with Sri Lanka on the possibility of setting up a trade exhibition centre in Katchatheevu, an islet in the Palk Straits, just like the Pragati Maidan in Delhi to bolster Indo-Lanka economic relations, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, E M Sudarsana Natchiappan today said.
"The outcome of this effort, however, depends on the decision of the Supreme Court on the Katchatheevu issue," Natchiappan told PTI from Karaikudi in south Tamil Nadu.
Katchatheevu is in the limelight with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa moving the apex court seeking to declare as unconstitutional the agreement under which it was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974.
In response to the plea, the Centre in its recent affidavit in the Supreme Court has said no territory belonging to the country was ceded nor sovereignty relinquished.
Asked about reports which quoted him as allegedly saying "Sri Lankan Tamils must first capture their land" and that he reportedly drew a parallel with Israel and Palestine, he said: "I was quoted out of context...Wrong words were used... It was a misquote that has appeared in a section of the media."
Seeking to put the record straight on the issue, he said: "This is my appeal to the political parties in Tamil Nadu and the Tamil diaspora. We must support elections to the Northern Provincial Council in Sri Lanka being held under the 13th Amendment of the Lankan Constitution, which is a feature of the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord."
Stating that as many as "37 listed powers" would devolve on the elected Northern provincial council in Lanka, the Minister said, "we have to achieve that first for the Tamil people through democracy."
"Let me make it clear. I never spoke of a separate Tamil Eelam (separate homeland for Tamils). I did not say anything against the interests of Sri Lanka," he said.
