In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi has asked the Centre to exert "diplomatic and political pressure" on Sri Lanka to address the plight of Tamils lodged in various camps in the neighbouring country, saying the recent incessant rains added to their miseries. Karunanidhi said the displaced persons were reportedly huddled in houses lacking basic amenities and have no access to medical facilities.

Some time back, D Raja (CPI), while raising the Sri Lankan issue in the Rajya Sabha said that the DMK, a part of the UPA government, also has a bigger role to play and a moral responsibility in helping find a political solution for the welfare of Tamils. Raja wanted India to pressurise Rajapakse to release all Tamils from the camps and send them to their homes, he said. “India should also exert pressure on Sri Lanka to find a political solution to the problem in the Island Nation as also asking them to allow International Red Cross Society and international media go there "to assess the real situation," he said.

Replying to these and various other points raised by Raja, the Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh recalled his meeting with Mahinda Rajapakshe at Shram-el-Sheikh and said, "We are deeply concerned. I explained to him, we have legitimate concern about the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils. It has a bearing on Sri Lanka''s relations with India. "I emphasised to him that he must take all effective measures to provide meaningful relief and rehabilitation," the Prime Minister said. He also informed Rajapakshe that Colombo has to create conditions for meeting the "legitimate political aspirations" of the Tamils under the devolution package.

Well, this is the nth time that India has been repeating this demand to Sri Lanka. And Sri Lanka continues to be merrily indifferent to this reasonable call. High time the Island nation realized that it was duty bound to implement the demands made by India. If this indifference continues, India may have to consider other options, too.