Sri Lankan minister attacks Indian envoy

COLOMBO/NEW DELHI: In an unusually scathing attack, a senior Sri Lankan minister has accused India's High Commissioner Nirupama Rao of meddling in the island nation's affairs, a charge outrightly rejected by New Delhi.

"It is not the policy of the government of India and its representative abroad to interfere in the internal affairs of any country," External Affairs Ministry (MEA) in New Delhi said reacting to the allegation by Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaik made in Parliament on Wednesday.

Sri Lankan government sources said on Thursday that the minister's outburst was "absolutely unwarranted". A report in the Island newspaper also quoted an unnamed government official as saying that Bandaranaike's comments did not reflect government thinking.

MEA spokesman Navtej Sarna said Rao, a senior diplomat has conducted herself in accordance with the highest professional standards.

Her contribution to strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan bilateral relations was well appreciated by the host government, he said.

"The pretty Mrs Rao should look after her embassy and we will look after our own internal affairs," Bandaranaike was quoted as saying by the Island. The daily, however, did not say what prompted the minister's attack.

Bandaranaike said both his parents, who were prime ministers, and the sister Chandrika Kumaratunga, who retired as president last year, maintained good relations with India and that Rao should not "meddle" in Sri Lanka.

"Anura tells Indian HC 'mind your own business'," was the banner front-page headline in the Island, which carried a picture of Bandaranaike, Rao and former Pakistan High Commissioner Bashir Wali Mohammad.