Prayer to ensure peace in Sri Lanka

Ramanathapuram:A group of Sri Lankan refugees praying at Mandapam camp on Wednesday.Even as Sri Lankan refugees observed the World Refugee Day on Wednesday, the arrival of refugees continued suggesting that the people still had to wait for long to see a peaceful homeland.A group of six refugees reported at Mandapam seeking asylum on Wednesday. Incidentally, the number of refugees, who had reached Tamil Nadu since January 12 last year has crossed the 20,000-mark.

In spite of this surging number of refugees, a section of refugees joined a peaceful ‘silence prarthana’ at the Mandapam camp.It urged all stakeholders of the island nation, warring groups, religious heads and others to work for a peaceful homeland.“I have no doubt that I enjoy peace and tranquillity here [India].But, my mind is always with my homeland. I came here leaving my mother and two sisters following harassment from various quarters. I am the only breadwinner of the family.

I miss them. I pray that time should immediately come for a peaceful resettlement,” said 25-year-old S. Paramavamsarajan of Karai Nagar in Jaffna.“Though the Government is distributing around Rs. 2,000 a month to each refugee family besides subsidised rice and kerosene, more than 80 per cent of the refugees want to settle in peaceful Sri Lanka.I pray with them for peace,” said Durai. Ramachandran, Special Deputy Collector, Mandapam camp.“The present situation in Sri Lanka is dreadful. Daylight murder, abduction, bomb attack, human rights violation and others have become part of life.Let us hope the parties concerned realise the aspirations of the ordinary citizens,” said a 70-year-old refugee from Jaffna.