Fresh influx of 18 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees arrives in TN.

Rameswaram, April 22 : In a fresh influx from Sri Lanka, which is battling the worst-ever economic crisis and crippling inflation, 18 more ethnic Tamils, including seven children, and a pregnant woman arrived near Rameswaram in two batches seeking refuge, in the wee hours of Friday. Official sources said the first batch of three families comprising 13 Sri Lankan Tamils hailing from Mannar district reached the Arichalmunai coast in two hired boats while the second batch consisting of 5 Sri Lankan Tamils from two families belonging to the Jaffna region arrived at the shores of Cherankottai near Rameswaram in two boats clandestinely. After being interrogated by the Marine Police of the Coastal Security Group and Intelligence wing, all the 18 Tamil refugees were accommodated at the Mandapam refugees’ camp. The police said that so far, 57 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from 15 families had arrived in Tamil Nadu in the last few weeks seeking refuge owing to the economic meltdown in the Island nation. GSM CS1424