As Sri Lankan economic crisis deepens, officials say 2,000 to 4,000 refugees may land in Tamil Nadu
India Today
Prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing in Sri Lanka, deepening the ongoing economic crisis. Many Tamil refugees are crossing the sea and arriving in Tamil Nadu. Officials estimate that if the ongoing crisis continues, 2,000 to 4,000 refugees may land in Tamil Nadu.
With the price of essential commodities skyrocketing, Sri Lankan refugees have begun to flock to Tamil Nadu. On Tuesday, March 22, a family of six Sri Lankan Tamils, including four children were found by the Indian Coast Guard near Fourth Island, Rameswaram and were handed over to the Coastal Security Group.
On Wednesday, another ten people, including five children, reached Indian shores. Sivasankari, one of the refugees, stated she decided to leave as there was no way to survive in Sri Lanka.
But, when crossing the sea, the engine failed, the anchor was lost and the refugees were stuck at sea, battling the hot sun. After a huge struggle, they managed to cross the sea and arrive in the middle of the night.
Siva, another refugee, stated that there was a shortage of rice, palm oil and petrol.
“A kilo of rice costs Rs 250 - 300. I worked in Mannar. I left with my wife and my sister’s family. Many more families are getting ready to leave. We came to Tamil Nadu in 1990 and stayed at Mandap camp for 15 years and then went back. Now we have to return once again”, he said.
Long queues of frustrated people cooking outside gas stations and stationary shops were observed.
Officials from Mandapam have also estimated that if the crisis continues, between 2,000 to 4,000 refugees might land in Tamil Nadu.
