Click to play videoChennai: Sri Lankan Tamils - who have been at the receiving end of the civil war between LTTE and Sri Lankan government - have fled the war-torn Vanni and have taken refuge at the Indian refugee camp in Dhanushkodi.
They are the lucky ones who have managed to excape war, unlike the 2.5 other Tamils who trapped in areas like Mulaithivu her war is raging and the Sri Lankan army is beating back the LTTE with relentless force, gaining more ground every day.
But now - with some prodding from key UPA ally DMK and it's chief M Karunanidhi - the Sri Lankan Tamils have a powerful new friend in India and in External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is in Sri Lanka.
"We are concerned about the plight of civilians in Sri Lanka and shall have to see how they are protected. We do not want them to become hapless victims of the situation," Mukherjee had stated.
Pranab Mukherjee headed to Colombo within days of the Tamil Nadu Assembly passing a resolution, which made another specific demand for the sake of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
PMK President Mani said, "Our only request on behalf of the entire Tamil diaspora is that he (Pranab Mukherjee) should ensure there is a ceasefire in Sri Lanka"
However, in a show of bravado to the DMK and Tamil parties, the Government has drawn the line at saving the Tigers from the Sri Lankan military.
"We have no sympathies for any terrorist activities indulged in by any organisation and particularly the LTTE, which is a banned organisation in India," Mukherjee stated.
The main reason for this condemnation of the LTTE is that they are wanted in India for the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi - whose widow is currently the UPA Chairperson.
Pranab Mukherjee will press for Prabhakaran's extradition to stand trial in India, a demand that Sri Lanka has already indicated it will consider positively.
The External Affairs Minister is the UPA's chief trouble shooter and he will be playing both roles in Colombo - placate Congress' ally DMK without changing India's policy on Sri Lanka.
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