Lankan family of five with infant, reach TN coast

A Lankan family of five, including a mother with a two-month-old infant, seeking refuge crossed the sea and reached the Tamil Nadu coast on a fiber boat yesterday (2), India Today reported.

The IT report said: The family from Vavuniya had left Sri Lanka from Neduntheevu (Delft Island). They were rescued by Tamil Nadu Marine Police and were taken to Marine Police station for questioning.

The mother, with the two-month-old baby, has said that the situation was extremely bad in Sri Lanka.

“A tin of milk powder costs Rs 2,000 and the necessary vaccines for the baby are not available in government hospitals. If the situation continues, people will die of starvation,” she was quoted as saying.

After questioning, the family was then moved to Mandapam refugee camp.

Due to the severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka, several Tamils have decided to risk their lives and cross the sea to reach the Tamil Nadu coast to survive. A total of 80 Sri Lankan Tamils have crossed the sea, seeking refuge, since the crisis began, according to the report.