Rs 500 cr allocated for Sri Lankan Tamils' rehab

The government on Monday set aside Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion) for rehabilitation of the internally displaced people and reconstruction of areas in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka devastated by the war against the LTTE.

Presenting the Union Budget for the year 2009-10 in the Lok Sabha, Mukherjee said that the United Progressive Alliance government is committed to ensuring that the Sri Lankan Tamils enjoy their rights and legitimate aspirations within the territorial sovereignty and framework of the country's constitution.

Mukherjee said the external affairs ministry was working closely with Sri Lankan Government to ensure rehabilitation of the displaced people.

• Also read: Budget 2009, complete coverage