Chennai, September 17, 2009

India committed to welfare of displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka: Manmohan

Sri Lankan ethnic Tamils who were kept in displacement camps look for transport to get back to their villages after being released by government authorities in Vavuniya. Photo: AP

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that India is committed to working on a ‘priority basis’ for the relief and rehabilitation of internally displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka and New Delhi has conveyed its concerns on the issue to the island government in “no uncertain terms.”

“We fully share your concern for the welfare and well-being of the displaced Tamil population in Sri Lanka,” Dr. Singh said in his reply to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi who wrote to him last month voicing concern about the welfare of Tamils lodged in various camps in the island nation after the end of the war against the LTTE.

Dr. Singh said, “we have conveyed these concerns in no uncertain terms to Sri Lanka on various occasions, stressing the need for them to focus on resettling and rehabilitating the displaced Tamil population at the earliest.”

India was committed to working on a “priority basis” for the relief and rehabilitation of internally displaced civilians in Sri Lanka, Singh said adding “our humanitarian assistance has been substantial.”

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