India is trying to gain political and economic advantage, says JVP

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva on Sunday accused both Sri Lankan and Indian governments of exploiting the island's national question for their own benefit.

Addressing journalists in Colombo, he said Sri Lanka has undermined the country's sovereignty by inviting the Indian foreign minister for a fact finding mission in Sri Lanka.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has on Saturday telephoned Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh as protests increased in Tamil Nadu against the military offensives in the north.

Telephone conversation

Mr. Rajapaksa has informed Dr. Singh that Sri Lanka "is mindful and appreciative of the concerns of India regarding the situation in the North, and aware of the context in which these matters have been raised".

	Sri Lanka President has telephoned Indian PM on Saturday

"Consequent to this discussion, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has invited the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee to undertake a visit to Sri Lanka at an early date," a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Saturday said.

The JVP accuses India of trying to "gain political or economic advantage", by raising concern over Sri Lanka's internal affairs.

When questioned as to why the JVP requested Indian help during the Norwegian brokered peace process, Tilvin Silva said the party was requesting the help of the region, not only from India.

"And Mr. Narayanan has admitted that the cease fire agreement was written in India," he added.

The JVP pledged that it will "keep protesting against India's role through democratic means".

JVP parliamentary group leader, Anura Kumara Dissananyake, MP, and propaganda secretary, Vijitha Herath, MP, also attended the press briefing.