Latest news with #SriLankanTamils
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Vaiko a tiger in Parliament: CM Stalin bids farewell as veteran's fourth Rajya Sabha stint ends
CHENNAI: Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin on Friday termed MDMK general secretary Vaiko a 'tiger' in the Parliament as the veteran leader bid an emotional farewell to his current tenure in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. 'He has consistently raised his voice to uphold the rights of Tamil Nadu. I hope his efforts for the rights of Tamils will continue for ever, as he remains a pillar of the Dravidian movement,' Stalin said, adding he watched the farewell speech of the leader in the RS on TV from the hospital where is currently admitted. In his farewell speech, Vaiko thanked former CM M Karunanidhi and Stalin for nominating him to the House. Karunanidhi nominated him thrice and Stalin once, in 2019. Vaiko said he had raised 13 attention motions in the House on the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils. Earlier, Stalin also appreciated DMK MPs M Shanmugam and MM Abdullah, whose tenure also ended on Thursday. He also conveyed his wishes to actor Kamal Haasan, P Wilson, SR Sivalingam and poet Salma who were sworn in as MPs on Friday. PMK's Anbumani Ramadoss's tenure also ended on Thursday, but he was not present in the House.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Dozens of Sri Lankan Tamils seek Indian citizenship
Dozens of Sri Lankan Tamils who were born in India and stayed in rehabilitation camps for over three decades have applied for citizenship. After verification of documents, their applications would be sent to the Union government for consideration, sources in the Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils said. A preliminary scrutiny of the applications revealed that about 300 Sri Lankan Tamils were entitled to citizenship under the provisions of the Citizenship Act. The applications started pouring in after the Commissionerate conducted a demographic assessment covering 57,500 residents of the rehabilitation camps and assured them of assistance in obtaining citizenship. A majority of the applicants were individuals born in India on or after July 1, 1987, but before December 3, 2004 and born in India on or after December 3, 2004, with at least one of the parents being an Indian citizen and neither an illegal migrant. There were also some applicants who were Tamils of Indian origin having Indo-Sri Lanka passport issued by Indian missions in Sri Lanka for repatriates under the 1964 and 1974 agreements, the sources said. 'The Sri Lankan nationals have lived in the camps for over 30 years now. The Tamil Nadu government is extending support to integrate them locally and make them self reliant. While explaining the benefits of acquiring citizenship, we are also assuring them of assistance in case they wanted to return to their home country. Nine people have got Indian citizenship in the last two years,' an official involved in the demographic assessment said. Registration of marriages The Commissionerate has also taken an initiative to register the marriages of Sri Lankan Tamils across the State and issue certificates. It has identified 898 couples, mostly in Ramanathapuram, Vellore, Tirunelveli and Salem regions, who were awaiting registration of their marriage. To implement this programme, the Department of Registration had organised a two-day special camp on July 25 and 26 for registering the marriages of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in rehabilitation camps across Tamil Nadu. Inspector-General of Registration Dinesh Oliver Ponraj said Revenue Department officials would be involved to verify the claims of the applicants. Sub-Registrars were told to register and issue marriage certificates on the same day. The certificates would help individuals in the process of getting passports for themselves, spouses and children, he said. M. Vallalar, Commissioner, Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, said the marriage certificates would play an important role in establishing the status of applicants while seeking passport or citizenship. It would also reinforce the confidence of Sri Lankan Tamils that the State government was doing everything possible to make their lives better.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Two-day special camp for marriage registration of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in T.N.
A two-day special camp will be held on July 25 and 26 for the registration of marriages of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in rehabilitation camps in different parts of the State. This follows a letter sent by the office of Commissioner of Non-Resident Tamils Welfare and Rehabilitation to the Registration department. A special camp was held in 2018. Since December that year, the registration of marriages has been taking place for all those who applied online, an official release said.
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
CM Stalin inaugurates 729 houses for Sri Lankan Tamils in five districts
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday inaugurated 729 houses built at a cost of Rs 38.76 crore for Sri Lankan Tamils living in Sri Lankan rehabilitation camps in Keezhputhupattu (Villupuram district); Thirumurthi Nagar (Tiruppur district); Thammampatti (Salem district); Nagavathi dam and Kesaikuli dam (Dharmapuri district); and Kandiyapuram (Virudhunagar district). A release said the CM had announced that 7,469 new houses will be built instead of old houses for Lankan Tamils in 26 districts. In the first phase, orders were issued for building 3,510 houses in 35 camps located in 19 districts. Already, 2,781 houses have been handed over to the Tamils in 32 camps in 18 districts. Stalin also inaugurated additional buildings for the Dharmapuri collectorate and office buildings for taluk offices in various districts, built at a total cost of Rs 54.80 crore, through video conference. Members of the State Minorities Commission called on Stalin on Monday and thanked him for granting financial assistance to the members of the Buddhist, Jain and Sikh communities to undertake pilgrimage to their holy places.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Stalin inaugurates 729 new homes for Sri Lankan Tamils across five TN districts
In a significant step toward improving the living conditions of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday inaugurated 729 newly-built houses in rehabilitation camps across five districts. The inauguration was conducted via video conference from the State Secretariat, in the presence of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran and Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam. Constructed at a cost of Rs 38.76 crore, the houses are located in refugee camps situated in Villupuram, Tiruppur, Salem, Dharmapuri, and Virudhunagar districts. These homes are part of a broader rehabilitation initiative by the Tamil Nadu government, announced under Rule 110 in the state Assembly in August 2021, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and living conditions in Sri Lankan Tamil camps spread across the state. As per the government's long-term plan, over 3,510 houses are to be built at a total estimated cost of Rs 180.34 crore in 35 rehabilitation camps. Of this, 2,781 houses in 32 camps across 18 districts have already been completed and handed over to beneficiaries. The state has also undertaken supplementary infrastructure upgrades in these camps to improve the quality of life. These include new internal roads, upgraded electricity lines, and enhanced drinking water supply facilities. The total cost of these civil works stands at Rs 7.33 crore. According to an official release, the rehabilitation programme is part of the DMK government's commitment to provide a dignified life to Sri Lankan Tamils who have been residing in 67 government-run camps across 26 districts of Tamil Nadu for decades, after fleeing ethnic conflict in their homeland. The Chief Minister, in his remarks during the inauguration, reiterated his government's resolve to continue supporting refugee communities through improved housing, access to basic amenities, and welfare schemes. He also emphasised the importance of integration and inclusion, ensuring that displaced populations can live with dignity and security. The ongoing rehabilitation efforts are seen as a model approach in refugee welfare, combining both humanitarian concerns and infrastructural development, and have received appreciation from human rights observers and community leaders alike.
