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“Official to visit Sri Lanka to assess rehabilitation work”

Special Correspondent

— Photo: DIPR

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram calling on Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at his residence in Chennai on Sunday.

CHENNAI: A senior official of the External Affairs Ministry will visit Sri Lanka in a week to assess the progress of rehabilitation in Tamil areas, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting the Chief Minister, Mr. Chidambaram said he had conveyed the “good news” to him.

“When we met last time we discussed the rehabilitation. Now, I informed him about the decisions taken on the issue,” he said.

Besides collecting information about the progress of the housing scheme and the guidelines adopted by the Sri Lankan government for allocation of houses, the official would also find out how many Tamils had returned to their homes.

Mr. Chidambaram said the official would also assess the various works sponsored by the Indian government, including the renovation of Palali Airport and Kankesanthurai Port. “He will find out what is needed in the future,” he said.

Asked about the attack on Tamil fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, he said though fishermen had faced only one attack so far this year, the Indian government had taken up the issue with the Sri Lankan government.

“The agreement reached between India and Sri Lanka clearly says there should be no firing on Tamil fishermen. We have informed the Sri Lankan government that it [the incident of firing on Indian fishermen] was a violation. They have promised it will not happen again.”

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