CHENNAI: M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, praised External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday for accepting Tamil Nadu's offer to help the Sri Lankan people, who are facing a serious economic crisis.
Stalin took to Twitter to say: "Thank you, Hon'ble Dr. S. Jaishankar, for approving Tamil Nadu's plea to assist the Sri Lankan people. This kind effort, I am sure, will be warmly received by all and will contribute to improving the warmth and cordiality between nations. Let the goodwill to flourish in all areas." The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a motion on April 29 urging the central government to allow the state to transfer critical supplies and medications to Sri Lanka on humanitarian grounds.
Stalin proposed the resolution, signalling a shift in the state government's position. The state's DMK government had previously requested permission from the Centre to provide the critical supplies only to Sri Lankan Tamils.
Stalin, who introduced the resolution, stated that "we must provide assistance" to the island nation, which is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis. Stalin referred to his earlier decision to offer essential supplies to Sri Lankan Tamils, saying that while the move was welcomed, the entire island nation was suffering and that support should be provided to everyone, not just the Tamils.
The state govt has planned to ship 40,000 tonnes of food (of Rs 80 crore), life-saving medications (worth Rs 28 crore), and 500 tonnes of milk powder (worth Rs 15 crore) to Sri Lanka, he said. Because the state cannot transfer things directly to Sri Lanka, they must go through the Central government and the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Stalin added.
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