200 Years Of Malayaga Tamils In Sri Lanka: Projects Worth Rs 75 Crore To Be Launched, Says PM Modi

Speaking at the joint press meet with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (21 July) announced projects worth Rs 75 crore to commemorate 200 years of the arrival of Malayaga Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The Malayaga Tamils or hill-country Tamils were brought from India by British planters to work in tea and rubber plantations in Sri Lanka's Central Province.

PM Modi also expressed hope that Sri Lanka would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils, implement the 13th Amendment and conduct elections to Provincial Councils.

He added that India expects Sri Lanka to ensure a life of equality, dignity and peace for Tamils.

Tamil Nadu is also set to significantly benefit from a number of initiatives announced during the visit.

A ferry service from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai in northern Sri Lanka has been announced and air connectivity between Chennai and other cities like Trincomalee and Batticaloa in the Eastern region has been planned after the success of the air connectivity with Jaffna.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also stated that the countries intend to soon resume ferry services between Rameswaram and Talaimannar and other mutually agreed destinations.

Other initiatives like the connection of the electricity grids of the two nations, a petroleum pipeline and a feasibility study for a land bridge are all likely to benefit the state.

Welcoming the visit, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Annamalai wrote, "Our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl met Sri Lankan President Thiru @RW_UNP avl today and pressed on issues related to the livelihood of Tamil Fishermen & their safety in the High seas.

"Hon PM has yet again requested Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitment to Sri Lankan Tamils by implementing the 13th amendment in both letter & spirit.

"Ensuring the upliftment of Tamils of Sri Lanka has always been our Hon PM’s priority & on the occasion of the celebration of 200 years of Malayaga Tamils in Sri Lanka, Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl has announced various projects in Sri Lanka for a value of ₹75 Crores.

"1800 years ago, in the ancient Tamil text Patinapalai, the verse “Eezhathu Unavum Kazhagathu Aakamum” about imports in Poompuhar symbolised the historical ties between the Civilisational twins, India & Sri Lanka.

"In the 1960s, the ferry service between Kankesanthurai Port and Nagapatinnam came to a grinding halt due to a severe cyclone. Today, our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl, along with Sri Lanka President Thiru @RW_UNP avl, revived the Kankesanthurai port to Nagapattinam boat services. This will hugely benefit the people of Tamil Nadu & Northern Sri Lanka and re-establish the historical ferry route."

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