T.N. CM’s video address not telecast in Sri Lanka; report hints at GoI’s objection

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin's video message for 'Naam 200' event in Colombo was not telecast due to reported objection from GOI. Event was to commemorate 200th anniversary of Indian-origin Tamils' arrival from Chennai. TN FM Thangam Thennarasu's travel approved by CM, but clearance from Centre came late. Speakers included Sri Lankan President, PM, Nirmala Sitharaman, AIADMK MLA, BJP TN state president. Sri Lankan Minister Jeevan Thondaiman had met CM in July to discuss duty of care to Indian-origin Tamils.

A video-recorded message by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin could not be telecast at the ‘Naam 200’ event held in Colombo on Friday due to reported objection from the Government of India over its “last minute” inclusion. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had addressed the event in person.

However, Mr. Stalin’s video message was circulated to the local media by the organisers. A transcript of his address was released in Tamil Nadu by the Department of Information and Public Relations.

The event was organised by Sri Lankan Minister Jeevan Thondaiman, along with the Sri Lankan government, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Indian-origin Tamils in the island nation from Chennai.

A Colombo-based official source said, “Since the Finance Minister was the main guest, the Government of India needed to clear the agenda. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s recording arrived barely two hours before the event, and hence couldn’t be accommodated.”

In Chennai, a government source privy to the development told The Hindu that State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu was invited for the event and his travel was approved by the Chief Minister. However, the clearance for the same from the Centre did not come through until Thursday night. The event was scheduled to commence the following morning. “The clearance from the Centre eventually came through late that night but by that time, the flight ticket was cancelled as it appeared unlikely that the permission would be granted,” the source said.

Another source said after this development, the organisers had on the day of the event requested for a message from the Chief Minister. His video message was sent. The organisers subsequently sent video clips of local Tamil visual media in Sri Lanka telecasting Mr. Stalin’s message in their news bulletin.

When asked why Mr. Stalin’s speech was not played at the event, Sri Lankan authorities declined to comment on record.