By IANS,
Bangalore : Terming the plight of the people displaced by the conflict in Sri Lanka as a “human tsunami”, Indian spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has appealed the Indian government and the civil society to provide more help to the suffering people.
“When the tsunami occurred (in 2004), everyone came forward to help. I would say this is nothing less than a human tsunami. Why hasn’t anyone come to help even at this moment of huge influx of people to the camps?” asked Sri Sri, as the Art of Living founder is known.
He visited the internally displaced people (IDP) welfare centres in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka, April 21 during his three-day visit of the nation.
“How will the political drama and commotion happening in the state help the refugees in any case? Fasting or street demonstration or self-immolations will not help to bring solace to thousands of people in the camps. Instead of reaching out and helping the people who are in need, these incidents will only create fear and anger in society,” he added, referring to protests in Tamil Nadu.
Sri Sri has appealed to the Indian government and civil society to give as much relief materials like food, medicines and clothes to Sri Lanka, a press release from the Bangalore-headquartered Art of Living Foundation said Sunday.
He said the relief materials sent by India were completely insufficient. He felt it was “unfortunate” that during this time of crisis Indian business community has not rushed to support the needy.
Sri Sri also met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and appealed to him that the refugees in the camps should be sent back to their own homes as soon as possible.
The release quoted Rajapaksa as saying that he is fully responsible for the security of the innocent civilians and they can be re-settled in their home towns after de-mining the conflict zone.