TN favours permanent solution to Lankan crisis

Chennai, July 22: Expressing grave concern over the lack of progress made in peace talks, the Tamil Nadu government today favoured a permanent solution through negotiations to end the ethnic conflict in the trouble-torn Sri Lanka.

Presenting the Budget for the year 2006-07, State Finance Minister K Anbazhagan said there had been increase in the influx of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to Tamil Nadu due to lack of progress in the peace talks.

''The government desires that a permanent solution is reached early through amicable negotiations'', he said and announced an allocation of Rs 34.53 crore to provide necessary relief assistance in commensurate with the increasing number of Tamil refugees.

Acting on the recommendations made by the Ministers and MLAs after visiting the Sri Lankan Rehabilitation Centres in the State, Mr Anbazhagan doubled the monthly financial assistance given to the refugees from Rs 200 to Rs 400, in addition to the Centre's assistance of Rs 200.

He also announced that the assistance granted to their family members would also be doubled.

UNI

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