Thiruvananthapuram: Illze Skromane, the sister of a Latvian national who was raped and killed at Kovalam here last year has expressed solidarity with the people of Kerala facing the monsoon fury. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was all praise for her and said her act – of contributing to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund – an act 'unparalleled'.
"In this trying time, she has stood with us and has a big heart.. From Ireland Ilze has sent a portion of her earnings to the CMDRF and expressed solidarity with the people of the state", he said in a Facebook post.
Ilze's elder sister Liga, who had come to the state as a tourist, had gone missing from Kovalam on April 2018 and her body was found days later. She was allegedly raped and killed. Two drug peddlers had been arrested in connection with the crime.
In her video, posted by Vijayan on his facebook page, Ilze says, "Hello My Dear Keralites, I shot this video to tell you that I have not forgotten you. I have been watching you closely.. the hard times you are going through at this moment. Pl note that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
"I really hope, soon this hardship will be behind you and you will be soon able to re-build your lives. I am sending you all my love from the other side of the ocean. So stay strong," she said.
Ilze also said she would like to visit the state soon and hopefully by then normalcy would have returned to the "God's Own Country".
Vijayan said her message will a source of inspiration to the people of the state.
(With inputs from PTI)
