New Delhi: Union Communication Minister A Raja on Wednesday met External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and submitted a memorandum demanding India's intervention to persuade Sri
Lanka to allow unloading of a ship carrying relief material sent by the Tamil diaspora for the displaced people there.
Raja, who met Krishna just minutes before the External Affairs minister's meeting with a Sri Lankan delegation, said "I appeal to you on behalf of the Chief Minister and the people of Tamil Nadu to kindly intervene at this juncture and persuade the government of Sri Lanka to allow unloading of the relief materials sent through the vessel MV Captain Ali".
He said the unloading could be done under the supervision of international agencies like International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC).
"I further request you to kindly provide top priority to this point in your agenda of issues to be discussed between India and the visiting Sri Lankan delegation," he said.
After his meeting with Krishna, Raja told reporters that the minister has assured him that he will pursue the matter to ensure that the ship is unloaded in Sri Lanka.
The vessel, which set sail from Britain on April 20, is currently anchored outside Chennai port as it was turned away by the Sri Lankan Navy on June nine after detaining it for several days.