Tamil Nadu refugees returning tomorrow

Under a UNHCR facilitated Voluntary Repatriation Program, 23 Sri Lankan refugees are scheduled to return from India to Sri Lanka on 15 December according to V.Sivagnanasothy, Secretary, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs. 

5 families (12 persons) are due to fly in from Trichy and 3 families (11 persons) from Madurai.  Following negotiations with the UNHCR, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, D.M.Swaminathan, organised  an increase in baggage allowance from 40kg per person to 60kg by advising the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development,  Sri Lankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka airlines who will be flying the families back. Ministry Secretary Sivagnanasothy also informed that the UNHCR provides free air tickets, a reintegration grant of $ 75 per person, a transport grant of $ 19 per person and  monetary non-food grant of $ 75 per family. 

On 24 November a batch of 42 refugees returned to the island and a total of 429 have returned to Sri Lanka in 2015.

Since 2011, 5600 refugee returnees have arrived from Tamil Nadu. Over 100,000 Sri Lankan refugees are currently in India of whom over 64,000 refugees are stationed in 109 welfare camps. The Ministry will provide further support to the returnees by providing livelihood and income generation activities as well as compensation packages for those who have lost their houses, provided by the Rehabilitation of Persons, Properties and Industrial Authority (REPPIA) under approved schemes. A durable solution will be provided in the medium term.  The return of Sri Lankan refugees is a sign of the prevailing peaceful atmosphere and trust in the reconciliation process said Sivagnanasothy.