Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda, whose visit as part of presidential delegation has come under controversy following reports that he is a proclaimed offender in India [ Images ], on Thursday said all political leaders were pardoned as per the Indo-Sri Lanka pact but maintained that he was prepared to face legal action, if any.
Devananda, who is accompanying Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa [ Images ] on his first state visit here, was declared a proclaimed offender by a Chennai court on charges of murder, rioting and unlawful assembly in Chennai in 1986, according to reports.
"I don't know about that but, according to the Indo-Sri Lanka agreement, they have given pardon to all leaders, all political leaders....If there is anything legal, I am prepared to face that," Douglas told mediapersons.
He was asked if there was some "mischief or something else" against him as a PIL was filed in Chennai high court seeking his arrest.
Meanwhile, senior government officials said the Sri Lankan minister was not on a "watch list" of those who are preventing from entering the country. Invitation was extended to Rajapaksa to come here and Devananda is a minister in his government whom he has chosen to be part of the delegation, the officials said, adding the minister has come earlier also in 2005 with a delegation.
Devananda also maintained that his visits to India were legal. Devananda, who is Minister for Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises of Sri Lanka [ Images ], was given state protocol in India since he is a state guest.
Image: Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda | Photograph: Reuters
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