And so did the refugee parents of 100 other children who also received the same at a special camp organised by the Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka and the State Commissionerate for Rehabilitation with the assistance from Organisation for Eelam Refugees' Rehabilitation (OfERR) here on Saturday.

The birth certificates for Indian-born Sri Lankan Tamils is mandatory for getting Sri Lankan citizenship, passport and government jobs once they return to their country.

Of the two-day camp, 280 applicants would be issued birth certificates after verification of necessary documents including parent's Sri Lankan birth certificate, marriage certificate, child birth certificate in India and refugee certificate.

The 13-member official team from Sri Lankan Embassy in Chennai is expected to issue 180 birth certificates on Sunday, the second day of the special drive.

Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Vadivel Krishnamoorthy said there are 68,000 refugees in the State at 114 special camps and 4,000 refugees had left for their homeland in the past four years.

“Sri Lankan government is extending its full support to Tamil people who were affected by the war, by providing adequate security, education, dry rations, housing facilities and loan for starting business,” he added.

A total of 870 families with 3,534 members are living in eight camps in Salem district that includes Nagiyampatti, Sendarapatti North and South, Thammampatti, all in Gangavalli Taluk, Athikattanur, Kurukupatti, Pavalathanur, in Omalur Taluk and Steel Plant camp in Salem Taluk. This is the seventh camp held in the State after Madurai, Cuddalore, Virudunagar and Ramanathapuram.

Courtesy: The Hindu