25 Sri Lankan refugee families to return to motherland from South India

Thursday, 18 April 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Twenty-five families who went to South India as refugees during the conflict era are to return to Sri Lanka on 23 April under the voluntary repatriation scheme facilitated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

48 members belonging to 25 families are to return to Sri Lanka via SriLankan Airlines UL-138, UL-132 and UL-122 on 23 April. There are 23 men and 25 women among them.

Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development and Youth Affairs Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy stated that they are to leave to Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, and Trincomalee districts.

The UNHCR provides them free air tickets, a reintegration allowance of Rs. 10,000 per adult and Rs. 5,000 per non-adult, a travel allowance of Rs. 2,500, and Rs. 5,000 per member and Rs. 10,000 per family for non-food items. Further, the Ministry of Resettlement provides them Rs. 5,000 at the airport, Rs. 25,000 to construct a temporary shelter, Rs. 3,000 for equipment and Rs. 5,000 for land clearance and Sivagnanasothy stated that they will be given special marks when selecting for livelihood programs and housing schemes.