Tamil Nadu : ‘Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee Camp’ Renamed As ‘Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Camp’

The announcement was made in the assembly during the debate on agriculture, fisheries, diaries and animal husbandries departments' grant request.

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday announced in the assembly that ‘Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee Camp’ will be renamed as ‘Sri Lankan Tamil Rehabilitation Camp’.

The announcement was made in the assembly during the debate on agriculture, fisheries, diaries and animal husbandries departments' grant request. He was responding to DMK MLA K Poondi Kalaivanan’s appreciation speech for announcing a slew of welfare measures for Sri Lankan refugees. 

Stalin said, “Just like the MLA, I mentioned Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camp while announcing welfare measures yesterday. From today, Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camp will be renamed as Sri Lankan Tamil rehabilitation camp. They are not orphaned to be called refugees. We, the Tamils, are with them."

He further said that a government order would be issued for the same. 

Stalin on Friday announced a series of welfare schemes worth Rs 317.40 crores for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in camps in the state. The announcement was made in the assembly under rule 110.

A statement from the department of information and public relations said, “About 3.04 lakh refugees have come to Tamil Nadu since 1983. While as many as 58,822 members from 18,944 families are residing in 108 refugee camps in 28 districts, about 34,087 members of 13,540 families are staying outside the camps in the state.” 

While the government would be allocating Rs 261.54 crores for reconstructing their houses and other infrastructural developments, Rs 12.25 crores would be allotted to provide better education and job opportunities and Rs 43.61 for uplifting their livelihood, the statement added.