Karunanidhi promises citizenship to Sri Lankan refugees

M. Gunasekeran

KANCHEEPURAM: In a significant decision, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, on Saturday said he would take steps to ensure that the centre granted citizenship to the more than one lakh Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in the State if they desired so. He made the announcement at a function bringing down the curtain on the year-long centenary celebrations of C.N. Annadurai in Kancheepuram, the DMK founder's birthplace.

As many as 73,572 refugees have been staying in 115 camps across Tamil Nadu and more than 30,000 reside outside the camps in different parts of the State.

The announcement comes as a relief, representatives of Tamil groups said.

Times of India