CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution on Friday urging the central government to allow the state to send humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka. Chief Minister M.K.Stalin proposed the resolution, signalling the government's shift in position. The state's DMK government had previously requested permission from the central government to provide the critical supplies only to Sri Lankan Tamils.

On Friday, while introducing the resolution, Stalin stated that the island nation is experiencing a severe economic crisis, and that the prices of basic goods have increased to the point where they are no longer affordable to the people. Stalin stated that the Sri Lankan situation cannot be viewed as a matter of another country, and that "we must provide assistance."

Stalin referred to his earlier decision to deliver 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 the entire nation, not just the Tamils.

The state administration has planned to ship 40,000 tonnes of grains (of Rs 80 crore), life-saving medications (worth Rs 28 crore), and 500 tonnes of milk powder (worth Rs 15 crore) to Sri Lanka,  Stalin said.

Because the state cannot transfer the commodities to Sri Lanka directly, they must be channelled through the state government and the Indian High Commission in the island nation,  Stalin added.

Tamil Nadu FM urges Centre to remove cesses, surcharges on fuel

TN CM calls all parties to support Bill to appoint Vice Chancellors

Karnataka: Congress focuses on reuniting leaders who have defected to other parties v