Tamil Nadu CM writes to EAM Jaishankar, reiterates commitment to send essentials to Sri Lanka

In a letter to EAM S Jaishankar, CM MK Stalin reiterated the commitment that the Tamil Nadu government is ready to supply the essentials to Sri Lanka amid economic crisis.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and reiterated the commitment made by the state government to send essential items to Sri Lanka as the island country is going through an unprecedented economic crisis.

He wrote, “I called on the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India on March 31, I had apprised that the Tamil Nadu government is willing to provide essential commodities and life - saving medicines to the Sri Lankan Tamils who are bearing the brunt of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka . During our recent telephonic conversation on 7.04.2022 , I had also brought to your notice that the state has been receiving Sri Lankan Tamils who are forced to leave their country amid the escalating economic crisis that is turning into a humanitarian crisis”.

Now, with the Union Government enabling the shipping of food and other essential commodities to Sri Lanka, Stalin said that the state government could ship supplies including food grain, vegetables and medicines etc, from Thoothukudi port to the Tamils living in the Northern and Eastern Parts of Sri Lanka and Colombo.

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Stalin also drew the attention of Jaishankar to the plight of the 12 Indian fishermen, who were apprehended on March 23. "The Kilinochchi court adjourned the case to May 12 with instructions that the fishermen could be released on bail on a personal bond of Lankan rupees 2 crore per person. “As this is a prohibitive amount, the fishermen can never furnish the same. They are presently lodged in the Jaffna prison (Sri Lanka). I request your urgent intervention in this regard and request you to ensure all legal support and assistance to the poor fishermen for enabling their early release," concluded CM Stalin.

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