India ready to displace more funds to Sri Lanka for Tamils: P Chidambaram

India is ready to release more funds to Sri Lanka for rehabilitation of the displaced Tamils in that country in addition to Rs500 crore allocated earlier, Union home minister P Chidambaram said today.
    
"The Centre had already allocated Rs500 crore (towards the rehabilitation of Tamils). We can allocate more if required," Chidambaram told reporters after a meeting with Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, The two leaders among others discussed the resettlement of an estimated 2.5lakh internally displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka.
     
The minister said his discussion with Karunanidhi centered on the visit of the 10 MPs delegation to Sri Lanka last week which met Tamils to know their living conditions.
     
The modalities regarding the resettlement of Sri Lankan Tamils to their original places were discussed, he said adding that 5,000 persons have been sent back to their homes since Colombo started the process of resettling last week following assurances given to the MPs team.
    
Though the process was "slow" to start with, it will gain momentum, he said adding that he discussed with Karunanihdi ways and suggestions that could be given to Sri Lanka for the resettlement of Tamils to their original places.