UNHCR operational office at BIA

Saturday, 22 January 2011 00:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A new operational office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) was declared open at the Arrival Terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake this week.

Airport travelling expenses are granted to people returning from India to Sri Lanka by the UNHCR.

Those who return from India will be paid a re-establishment allowance jointly by the High Commission and the Bank of Ceylon. An allowance of Rs 10,000 for an adult and Rs 7,500 for a child will be made at the airport itself on their return.

Thirty-one adults and 20 children who had taken shelter in India arrived in Sri Lanka last Monday.

The UN High Commission for Refugees opened accounts to the tune of Rs 460,000 for 14 families who had returned to the country from India.

In addition each person returning from Indian refugee camps to Sri Lanka will be granted Rs 2,000.