Swaminathan opts out of helping Lanka

Renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan has given up a new job he was assigned — to oversee the task of restoring the livelihoods of Tamils in war-ravaged northern Sri Lanka, reports Jayanth Jacob.

Renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan has given up a new job he was assigned — to oversee the task of restoring the livelihoods of Tamils in war-ravaged northern Sri Lanka.

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Though Swaminathan agreed to take up the task at the behest of the Indian government, sources close to the development said he opted out after being pressured by Tamil Nadu politicians, who did not want him to be associated in any way with a government that had destroyed the LTTE, or Tamil Tigers.

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“There was a feeling among some Tamil leaders that I should not help until a political settlement with the Sri Lanka Tamils is achieved,” Swaminathan confirmed.