Indian assistance timely - Minister

The leader of the Up Country People's Front and Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication Minister P. Chandrasekeran has expressed appreciations to Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee of the Central Government for allocating Rs. 500 Indian crore in his new budget for the enhancement and the welfare of the people who are affected due to the war and accommodated in the make shift camps, a release from the Ministry said.

The Indian assistance at this juncture is very important and timely and we welcome this support as it has understood the situation in the make shift camps. It is apparent that India has readily come forward to offer a huge amount of money when a request is made by Sri Lanka to the foreign countries to help her in her hour of need.

We fervently hope that these people would benefit from this fund. I take this opportunity to express my heart felt thanks to the Indian Government on behalf of the Up Country People's Front.

Further, we hope that the Indian Government will carefully assess the needs of the displaced who are accommodated in make shift camps and grant further financial assistance for their essential needs. It is pertinens to mention that the visit of the Indian High Commissioner and high officials to Jaffna is an ideal gesture at this moment.