TNN February 2,
2017
India’s financial support to Sri Lanka has reduced in the past
two years. The actual support given towards rehabilitation of the internally
displaced Tamils in the island nation is lower than that mentioned in the
budget, Times of India reported.
In 2016-17, the budget estimate was ‘230 crore towards financial
support for Sri Lanka, which includes reconstruction expenses for Tamil
refugees, who returned home after the civil war ended. But the revised
estimates show that the Centre is likely to transfer only ‘155 crore and in the
next financial year, the allocation is estimated at ‘125 crore.
“There are many Tamil refugees, who are returning to Sri Lanka
and they need help from India. The money allocated by India will be sanctioned
only through its embassy and spent on roads, hospitals, schools or
other infrastructure facilities,” a Sri Lanka Tamil minister, seeking
anonymity, told TOI. Sri Lanka needs India’s support as many refugees are ready
to return home, said Lanka expert Col R Hariharan. “Though many projects have
been completed in North and East, the problems faced by Lankan Tamils is not
over. Tamil Nadu must also raise its voice with the Centre for the welfare of
refugees in the state,” said Col Hariharan. Getting refugees to remain in Tamil
Nadu is no long term solution and they must be rehabilitated in their homeland.
“Tamil Nadu must also speak about long term projects for Tamils in Lanka and
this must also be debated in the assembly,” he said.
Courtesy: Times of India, February 2,
2017
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