Chidambaram, Karunanidhi discuss Tamilians' resettlement in Sri Lanka India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Sunday and discussed the resettlement of over 2.5 lakh Tamilian refugees of Sri Lanka’s war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE). The meeting took place on the backdrop of the visit of 10 Tamil Nadu MPs to Sri Lanka to study the condition of displaced Tamilians in the Island nation. Interacting with the media after the meeting, Chidambaram hinted Centre’s readiness to allocate more funds to Colombo for the rehabilitation of displaced Tamils. "The Centre had already allocated Rs 500 crore towards the rehabilitation of Tamils. We can allocate more if required," said Chidambaram. But he said that India would release the additional amount only after receiving concrete plan from Colombo. “For additional amount the Sri Lankan Government will have to provide us with a scheme for that and after we get that scheme, we will provide them with the money," Chidambaram said. He said that the discussions were centred on the visit of MPs delegation to Sri Lanka. “The modalities regarding the resettlement of Sri Lankan Tamils to their original places were also discussed,” Chidambaram said, “Over 5,000 persons have been sent back to their homes since Colombo started the process of resettling last week following assurances given to the MPs team,” he added. Though the process of resettlement was slow to start with, Chidambaram expressed confidence that it will gain momentum. He also informed the media that Karunanidhi and himself also discussed the ways and suggestions that could be given to Sri Lankan Government for the resettlement of Tamils in their original places.