Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu's political parties with divergent stands on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue on Saturday took out different rallies in the city.

Nearly 5,000 persons took out a rally under the Tamils Right Welfare Committee, formed recently by the ruling DMK, to show their solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils.

DMK General Secretary and Finance Minister K Anbazhagan, Union Minister of State for Statistics G K Vasan, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K V Thankgabalu and Dravidar Kazagam leader K Veeramani among others participated in the rally, which started from Royapuram area of North Chennai and ended at Mint Street, a distance of about three kilometres.

Later, a public meeting was held, where the leaders demanded immediate ceasefire and urged for a democratic solution to the Sri Lankan Tamil crisis in the island nation.

Meanwhile, more than 3000 persons under the umbrella organisation of Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Movement, on Saturday took out a black flag rally in support of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Leaders of various pro-Ealam parties like Tamil National Movement founder P Nedumaran, PMK's Dr S Ramadoss, MDMK founder Vaiko, CPI state unit secretary D Pandian and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi's (VCK) Thol Thirumavalavan took part in the rally.

They walked a distance of about two km from Munroe Statue to the Guest House at Chepauk. Later, a public meeting was held, where the leaders demanded for a immediate ceasefire.