Six persons, including four children, from Sri Lanka reach Dhanushkodi islet

Economic refugees from Sri Lanka seek livelihood in Tamil Nadu through Palk Bay, facing high prices and hardships.

Six persons of a family from Mullai Theevu district in Sri Lanka arrived at Serangottai beach near Dhanushkodi in the early hours of Wednesday. The Rameswaram Marine Police interrogated them at the police station.

Addressing the media, Sivarajah, 45, a member of the family, said that without regular jobs, they were unable to purchase even essentials such as rice and milk. “The prices were very high. One kg of rice cost around ₹260,” he said, adding that with three children, they found the going very tough.

His wife, Jayagowri, said that they had to pay SLR 25,000 to a boatman, who ferried them on a fibre boat to Serangottai beach.

There were around 300 people living in the Mandapam Rehabilitation Centre who had left Sri Lanka since an economic crisis broke out about two years ago, officials said.

The Tamil Nadu government provided them shelter and also gave them basic amenities like food. While initially, the police booked cases under Passports Act and initiated action to send them in judicial custody, the government subsequently decided to drop such actions, the officials said and added that since they looked at the government for help, they should not be punished.

As and when the Union government announced the guidelines, the refugees would remain in the centre, they added.