Free passports for refugees returning from Tamil Nadu

On the initiative of  the President in his capacity as the Minister of Defence and Urban Development, steps are being taken to re-settle in their own villages about 90,000 Sri Lankan Tamils living in refugee camps and residencies privately sought by them in Tamil Nadu due to LTTE terrorist activities which prevailed during the last three decades.

In terms of the provisions of the Immigration and Emigration Act, they should have a valid passport to land in Sri Lanka. The proposal was made by the President to authorise the Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Chennai to issue passports without levying a fee of Rs. 4,400 to these refugees who are to return to Sri Lanka, was approved by the Cabinet. (News.lk)