Modi assures Tamil Nadu to protect rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured in Chennai that his government has always taken care of the welfare and aspirations of Tamil people in Sri Lanka and will continue to press for their rights and dignity in the island nation.

“Our Government has always taken care of the welfare and aspirations of our Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.It is my honour  to have been the only Indian PM to visit Jaffna. Through development works we are ensuring the welfare of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community,” Premier Modi said in Chennai yesterday while addressing a meeting after initiating development projects in Tamil Nadu. 

He also categorized in detail the Indian funded programmes that were carried out in North and Eastern parts of the country and other projects which are currently underway. 

The projects include: Fifty thousand houses for displaced Tamils in North-Eastern Sri Lanka.Four thousand houses in the plantation areas. On the health side, we financed a free ambulance service which is widely used by the Tamil community. A hospital has been built in Dickoya. To boost connectivity, the railway network to Jaffna  and to Mannar is being re-built .Flights have been established from Chennai to Jaffna. 

“I feel happy to share that India has built  the Jaffna Cultural Centre which we hope to open soon. The issue of Tamil rights has also been taken up by us consistently with Sri Lankan leaders. We are always committed to ensuring that they live with equality, justice, peace and dignity,” Premier Modi said. 

On the Indian fishermen engaging in poaching in Lankan waters, Premier Modi assured that his government will always protect their rightful interests. 

“We have ensured early release whenever fishermen are apprehended  in Sri Lanka. More than sixteen hundred fishermen have been released during our tenure. Currently, there is no Indian fisherman in Sri Lankan custody. Similarly, three hundred and thirteen boats have also been released and we are working for the return of the rest of the boats,” he said.