Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry has apologized and withdrew the objectionable article denigrating Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalitha and Prime Minister Narendra Modi which appeared in its website yesterday after the matter was raised by the Indian High Commissioner with the Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary in Colombo today.

The unqualified apology by the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry was published prominently today on its website saying that the article was published without appropriate authorization and does not reflect official position of the Government of Sri Lanka or Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

Tamilnadu Chief Minister Ms.Jayalalithaa sought an unconditional apology from the Srilankan Government and requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately direct the Ministry of External Affairs to summon the Srilankan High Comissioner and clearly express India’s displeasure over the issue.

Ms.Jayalalithaa said that the article contained unwarranted and unfounded comments about the very valid and serious issues that were raised on the Srilankan fishermen issue. She also said that the added visual image on the website was clearly aimed at denigrating the elected leaders of India

Meanwhile, leaders of all political parties in Tamil Nadu, cutting across party lines strongly condemned the article.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said the contents of the article were derogatory and India's High Commissioner in Colombo took up the matter with authorities there.