DMK President M Karunanidhi said the Indian government must act on the issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan navy, in a statement on Tuesday.
"When compared to India, Sri Lanka is a small country,” said Mr Karunanidhi.
“Should not the big country India put an end to the atrocities of the Sri Lankan navy. Where there is a will, there is a way.”
The DMK chief also criticised current Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for not pressing the central government on the issue, despite several letters to the prime minister.
“Writing letters to the Prime Minister alone will not stop harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen,” he said.
“The ruling AIADMK has 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha, and the BJP government at the Centre needs their support. Using this opportunity, the state government must exert pressure on the Centre to find a solution to the issue .”