Lankan refugees to take "O" level exams in TN

Chennai, Nov 21 (UNI) For the first time, the Sri Lankan refugees, who have crossed shores due to escalating tension in the Island nation, would be taking their 'O' level examination in Tamil Nadu.

The examination, equal to the Plus two course in the State, to be held next month, was facilitated by the Sri Lankan government, which had prevailed upon the Tamil Nadu government to facilitate conduct of the exams here.

The common examination would be held for the first time outside Sri Lanka for the refugees, displaced due to the ethnic conflict there.

Sri Lankan Deputy High commissioner P M Amza said here today that 16,000 refugees have arrived in Tamil Nadu since January this year.

Twenty-eight per cent of them were children, of which nearly 125, who had completed their schooling in Lanka, were ready to write their exams at present.

The ''O'' level exam was crucial to the students as it would pave way for middle level jobs in Lanka.

After getting the clearance from the Lankan President, Mr Amza took up the matter with the state government, which responded positively.

The approval letter was signed by School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu yesterday and the School Education department would provide all support in the conduct of the examinations.

The initiative followed representations from the refugee community who had requested Mr Amza to take steps to hold the exams here.

Mr Amza described it as a good development and a positive step to find a perennial soloution to the problems being faced by the refugees.

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