The Tamil Eelam Supporters Organisation's black flag protest opposing the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahindha Rajapaksa to India, is a "severe caution" to him as well as the Centre, its founder and DMK chief M Karunanidhi today said.

Karunanidhi, whose party is a key UPA ally, said the "Central Government should realise at least now that the island government is not keeping its promises after the Sri Lankan President ruled out autonomy for Tamil areas."

DMK had yesterday strongly criticised Rajapaksa for ruling out greater political autonomy for Lankan Tamils, saying India should at least "wake up" now and help secure their livelihood and democratic rights.

"Now, TESO was issuing a severe caution (by black flag demonstration). Rajapaksa should correct himself, and the Centre should also take steps to protect the tamils," Karunanidhi said.

Asked why he had not issued such a caution to the Centre earlier (during the Lankan forces offensive against LTTE when Tamil civilians were allegedly killed), he said "Not only DMK but various Tamil organisations have been pressing for protecting the Tamils and giving them autonomy, and also raising their voice against killing of innocent people," he told reporters.

Addressing Sri Lanka's 65th Independence Day celebrations on Monday, Rajapaksa had ruled out greater political autonomy for Tamils, saying ethnicity-based division was "not practical" as people live together in unity and there were no racial or religious differences.

A TESO meeting presided by Karunanidhi had resolved to hold a national conference in Delhi in March to highlight the "sufferings and difficulties" faced by Lankan Tamils, proposing to invite all political leaders.

Holding Rajapaksa instrumental for the sufferings of the ethnic minority in the island nation, TESO resolved that Tamils in India will never accept his visit to the country.

The Lankan President is scheduled to arrive soon on a visit to Bodh Gaya and Tirupati.

Referring to SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's reported statement that Lok Sabha polls would be held in September,he said "That is his (Mulayam's) guess."

On the murder of Ramajeyam,brother of former DMK Minister K.N.Nehru, he said "If the CB-CID is not able to resolve, then the case should be handedover to the CBI."

Regarding state governor Rosaiah's reported criticism of the Centre for not helping Tamil Nadu,he said "you ask him."

When reporters drew his attention to Karnataka convening an all party meeting on the Cauvery issue and if DMK also will take up initiative to convene such a meeting in Tamil Nadu, he hinted that Jayalalithaa had not taken any step in this regard.

To a question whether DMDK is coming close to DMK, he shot back "Why..You don't tolerate it?"

He claimed that 896 murders had taken place in Tamil Nadu in the last 19 months."That is the situation of law and order in Tamil Nadu."