CHENNAI, INDIA January 11, 2003: “The mood is upbeat among Sri Lankan refugees in various Tamil Nadu camps and they are all eager to return home,” Union Minister of State for Home, C.H. Vidyasagar Rao, said here today. The Minister, who visited some of the camps, said the on-going peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had given the refugees hope. The Indian Government was ready to repatriate those who were willing to return. There were about 69,098 refugees in camps spread over 23 districts and another 24,348 staying with their relatives in Tamil Nadu. Since 1983, the Indian government has spent US$6.1 million on maintenance of the camps.
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