Modi affirms India’s support for Lankan Tamils

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday mentioned his authorities has all the time taken care of the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils and ‘constantly’ flagged the problem of their rights with the leaders within the island nation. India was all the time dedicated to making sure that the Tamils there lived with fairness, equality, justice, peace and dignity, he mentioned right here, after launching numerous authorities initiatives in railways and defence sectors.

Modi recalled the assorted welfare initiatives taken by the Centre within the housing and well being sectors aimed toward benefiting the Lankan Tamils, and mentioned he was the primary Indian Prime Minister to go to Jaffna (in 2015) in northern Sri Lanka. “Our government has always taken care of the welfare and aspirations of Tamil brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka. It is my honour to have been the only Indian PM to visit Jaffna. Through development work, we are ensuring the welfare of the Tamil community,” he mentioned.

India has constructed 50,000 homes for displaced Tamils in north japanese Sri Lanka and one other 4,000 within the plantation areas whereas “we hope to open soon” the Jaffna Culture Centre, he added.

“The issue of Tamil rights has also been taken up consistently with Sri Lankan leaders. We are always committed to ensuring that they (Tamils) live with equity, equality, justice, peace and dignity,” Modi mentioned.

The Sri Lankan Tamils difficulty has all the time had an emotional join in Tamil Nadu and has usually dominated the political house right here.

Modi additionally pointed to India’s efforts in railway initiatives for Jaffna and Mannar, air connectivity from Chennai to Jaffna and the initiatives within the well being sector.