10,000 Sri Lankan refugees and counting

With a spurt in the arrival of Sri Lankan refugees in Rameswaram and other places along the coast in Ramanathapuram district, their number is likely to cross the 10,000-mark soon, officials said.

Since January 12, around 9,500 refugees had arrived in Tamil Nadu. With more Tamils fleeing their war-hit homeland and reaching Dhanushkodi, Arichalmunai and other places since last week, their total would cross 10,000 in a day or two, officials said.

In view of the increase in refugees, the officials have sought more personnel for Rameswaram police station for checking their credentials before admitting them to relief camps.

"The tired refugees have to wait for a long time before being admitted to the camps," an official said.

District Collector Muthusamy said the Mandapam refugee camp would be refurbished and basic amenities would be extended to the refugees before September 1.

The monthly assistance for refugees has been increased from Rs.200 to Rs.400. Muthusamy also inspected utensils and rations given to refugees at the camp.