TN ready to send essentials; move to avert influx of refugees

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday spoke to Union Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar over the phone, reiterating the Tamil Nadu government’s proposal to lend a helping hand to Tamils in Sri Lanka.

During the conversation, Mr. Stalin said the Tamil Nadu government was prepared to supply essential commodities such as rice, cereals and life- saving drugs by ship from Thoothukudi to benefit Tamils in eastern and northern provinces of Sri Lanka, and in Colombo and Jaffna and hill-country Tamils, according to an official release.

The Chief Minister also requested for distribution of supplies through Indian diplomatic missions in Colombo and Jaffna.

The move came after, TN authorities indicated that if adequate steps are not been taken, more refugees would be heading towards the Tamil Nadu coast as the economic crisis further deteriorates in Sri Lanka.