NEW DELHI: As “Amma” to millions and AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa was laid to rest on Tuesday, condolences messages poured in from Sri Lanka to the US expressing their solidarity with people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief.
Sri Lankan President Mathirpala Sirisena tweeted: “Chief Minister Jayalalitha was a leader dearly loved by her people. I express my condolences to her loved ones and the people of Tamilnadu.”
Prime Minister of the Island Nation Ranil Wickremesinghe also expressed condolences on the demise of the 68-year-old Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and said that she did much to establish a strong sense of fellowship between India and Sri Lanka. “The people of South India elected her as their Chief Minister six times; she was not in the best of health when she won her last election yet it was a firm display of the trust people had placed in her as their leader,” Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said in a statement.
Calling her a “Stateswoman”, he said despite ideological differences with her, he would remember her for pushing to resolve the fishermen issue between the two countries in a humane manner. “Fondly known as Amma by her people, Jayalalitha Jeyaram will be remembered for the selfless service she rendered unto her people,” he added.
US Ambassador Richard Verma also expressed his condolences to the people of Tamil Nadu on the passing away of their leader. “On behalf of the United States, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and the people of Tamil Nadu following her passing. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will be remembered for her years of public service to Tamil Nadu and as a supporter of closer ties between the United States and India,” Verma added.