Sri Lanka Eases Immigration for Refugees Returning from India: What You Need to Know
Simplified Immigration Process for Sri Lankan Refugees
Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has announced plans to streamline immigration processes to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees from India who left without proper documentation during the civil conflict that lasted several decades. This announcement was made in parliament on Wednesday.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that the cabinet has agreed to permit these individuals to return, provided they obtain a security clearance. Those interested in returning are encouraged to contact the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in Chennai.
Following the outbreak of ethnic violence in 1983, a significant number of Sri Lankan refugees fled to Tamil Nadu, India, amidst escalating conflict involving government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
While approximately 18,000 refugees returned between 2002 and 2022, around 90,000 still reside in Tamil Nadu. Many have lived in India for decades, facing challenges related to employment, documentation, and their long-term legal status.
Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan government approved special immigration measures to assist refugees returning from India. These measures aim to reduce legal obstacles and will be implemented for those returning under the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Under the new arrangements, Sri Lankans who departed before August 1, 2006, without a passport will undergo screening by the State Intelligence Service to ensure they have not been implicated in serious crimes such as murder or treason.
Individuals who pass this screening will be permitted to enter Sri Lanka through designated airports or ports using temporary passports, and they will not face legal repercussions for their unauthorized exit.
Concerns were raised last May when a 75-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil refugee was detained by immigration officials upon returning from India, prompting the government to develop a more efficient process for refugee returns.
Opposition leader Shanakiyan Rasamanickam suggested that the government could facilitate the process by sending necessary documentation to refugees in advance, a proposal that the minister acknowledged.