Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to "step in to end the sufferings of the displaced families in Sri Lanka."
"I feel it is high time that the Government of India exerted diplomatic and political pressure at appropriate levels on the Government of Sri Lanka at least on humanitarian grounds. I hope I can expect early action in this regard," he said in the letter, a copy of which was released to the press.'
Mr.Karunanidhi said that the displaced persons were reportedly lcoated in various camps "huddled together in houses that lack basic amenities. It is also learnt that these people are suffering quite a lot for want of medical care and attention. The recent incessant rain appears to have compounded their miseries and problems as flood waters have entered their houses."
Recalling that the State government had sent four consignments of rice, dhal, sugar, tea, clothing material, cooking vessels, personal items amounting to Rs.38.83 crore, he said that the government had sent one more consignment last week containing 80,000 family packs.
Mr.Karunanidhi also pointed out that the State government had also agreed to absorb the difference in cost towards payment of charges for the consignment from the Sri Lankan diaspora, which could not be off-loaded in Sri Lanka. "We still do not know very clearly whether this issue has been sorted out. Notwithstanding this, it is heartening to note that the Indian High Commissioner at Colombo has taken delivery of the latest consignment sent by us last week for distribution to the displaced persons." he added.
