The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : “Colombo’s efforts at rehabilitation not enough”

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Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

“Colombo’s efforts at rehabilitation not enough”

Special Correspondent

SIVAGANGA: India has conveyed its “displeasure” to Sri Lanka over the steps Colombo has taken for rehabilitation of the internally displaced Tamils, according to Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram.

“I am not happy over the steps taken so far by Sri Lanka to rehabilitate the Tamils who have become refugees in their own country. The efforts are not enough,” he told reporters at Karaikudi on Monday.

Asked whether India lodged its protest with Sri Lanka, he said it could not be called a protest. India politely conveyed its “displeasure” to two emissaries when they visited New Delhi recently.

“Our concern is that Sri Lanka is showing slackness in rehabilitating Tamils. India has been stressing that they [the Tamils] should be resettled in their homes. A conducive atmosphere should be created [for students] to pursue education. Enough medical facilities should be created,” he said.

“Ready to send team”

Asked whether there was any need to send emissaries to Sri Lanka to study the ground realities, he said: “We can send a team if they are ready to accept it. It [Sri Lanka] is a sovereign country. Only a few officials of the Indian High Commission have visited a few affected areas; we cannot say they have visited all affected areas.”

India was demanding, along with many countries, that Sri Lanka allow international and independent agencies like the Red Cross to visit the war-ravaged areas. The international press should also be allowed, he added.

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