Unable to face the severe economic crunch and fearing that their children could be kidnapped, another set of eight Sri Lankan Tamils reached Indian shores seeking refuge. Eight people, including Sasikala, Kathir, Kamala and Rani from Valvettithurai in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna crossed the rough sea in a fibre boat to reach Arichalmunai at Dhanushkodi.
Rameswaram Marine Police reached the spot and have taken the refugees to the police station for questioning.
Sasikala, who sought refuge, stated a kilo of rice costs Rs 400 and that there was no way for her to survive with her family. “For us to buy kerosene on Wednesday, we’ll have to stand at the petrol site from the previous Friday. How can we go and stay at a petrol site for a long time leaving our kids behind for two litres of kerosene when there is no power,” stated Sasikala.
“We have to buy medicine from pharmacies as there are no medicines available in hospitals. Another scare that has arisen in the country is the kidnapping of children in a white van. We had to live in fear after hearing of several such cases. Without any means to live, we are fed up with our country and have decided to leave”, she added.
The ongoing economic crisis in the island nation has forced many Sri Lankan Tamils to flee the country and arrive on Tamil Nadu’s shores seeking refuge.
