The Consulate General of India in Jaffna has clarified media reports that claimed its Consul General Raakesh Natraj Jayabhaskaran had participated in an event with links to the commemoration of the LTTE.
Raakesh Natraj Jayabhaskaran had formally launched the ‘Karthikai Vaasam’ flower garden in Nallur Kittu Park, Jaffna on Saturday (20) by wearing a Niyangala flower (karthigaipoo).
The Tamil National Green Organisation (TNGO) staged a floral garden called ‘Karthikai Vaasam,’ where Niyangala flowers were pinned on participants, including the Consul General of India, ahead of Northern Tree Planting Month.
According to the event’s organizers, to mark Tree Planting Month, guests donned Niyangala flowers and were given free seedlings and flowers.
However, media reports had pointed out that the Niyangala flower (karthigaipoo) was earlier used as the LTTE’s official flower.
The event was also held, at a time when multiple District Courts had issued event bans ranging from 21st to 28th November to disrupt commemorations ahead of Maaveerar Vaaram, the week of remembering preceding Maaveerar Naal which is marked on 27 November.
Commenting on the matter, the Consulate General of India in Jaffna has issued a statement clarifying the controversial media reports.
“We have seen several incorrect media reports regarding the inauguration of a Green Exhibition and distribution of plant saplings by Consul General of India in Jaffna at Sangiliyan Park in Nallur, Jaffna on 20 November 2021. He had attended this event upon invitation and such participation can in no way be associated with the organizers or their acts, outside the official programme, about which he had no prior information,” the statement said. (NewsWire)
