Madurai MP urges Centre to provide essentials to Sri Lankan refugees

MADURAI: Taking into consideration refugees fleeing to India from the economic crisis-hit

Sri Lanka

over the last few weeks,

Madurai

MP

Su Venkatesan

has written to minister of external affairs S Jaishankar to provide essential materials and a dignified shelter to them.


The MP said that the Union government should make the necessary arrangements considering the anticipated increase in the number of refugees who are likely to come to India through Arichal Munai near

Dhanushkodi

, which is the closest point of connect to the neighbouring island nation.

Over the last few weeks, 39 Sri Lankan refugees have reached Dhanushkodi in fishing boats under life-threatening circumstances. The refugees said that many more would follow them.

“It is a matter of concern that the Tamil people of Sri Lanka are forced to flee to India with women and children due to skyrocketing inflation and economic crisis there. Since Sri Lanka is reeling under a severe crisis and loss of employment the number of refugees is expected to increase in coming days,” he said.

Venkatesan reiterated the demand that was already put forward by chief minister M K Stalin to the Union government, seeking permission to distribute essential commodities such as rice and life-saving drugs to the suffering Tamils in Sri Lanka through the Indian high commission.

The MP said that it is a humanitarian issue which requires urgent attention and sympathetic consideration and made an appeal to the

MEA

to consider these demands on an urgent basis and respond favourably.


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