The refugee wave continues. One hundred and ten Sri Lankan Tamils were offloaded by boats into neck deep water off the coast of Dhanushkodi today, 27 June 2006. They included 38 men, 37 women, 20 boys and 15 girls comprising 32 families. Talking to the ADEPT fact finding team, Steven, a CCF worker from Trincomalee, said that there are more than 10,000 people waiting on the other side to undertake the 30 minute crossing. This is the second refugee landing for Steven, and Rosemary. They first sought refuge in 1983 and were housed in the Madapam refugee camp for 7 years before they tried to eke out their own living. After 20 years in India, they returned to their homeland in 2003, thinking to settle down peacfully for the rest of their life. They are back again, today with their 3 children, with a further stint in the Mandapam Refugee camp ahead of them.
Academy for Disaster Management
Education Planing & Training
#403, 4th Floor, 'B' Block, Prince Gardens
40 Thambusamy Road, Kilpauk
Chennai 600010 - India
Tel: 42602403(D), 42602407
Fax: 42602404
Mobile: +91-98404 10197