January 21, Colombo (LNW): Over 100,000 refugees who fled the North and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka to India in the early 1980s have resided in Indian camps for more than four decades.
Due to the absence of provisions in the Indian constitution for providing nationality, the only available option has been an exit permit back to Sri Lanka.
Under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the directive of Advisor to President Sagala Ratnayaka, Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, Dr. Venkadesh, facilitated a programme to issue Sri Lanka International travel passports in India, offering a new perspective for the refugees’ future.
Despite repeated proposals to several Sri Lankan heads in the past, no progress had been made until Wickremesinghe prioritised and supported the initiative to provide a new life for the people from North and East Sri Lanka living in India.
This development is seen as a milestone in the reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts for Tamils by the Sri Lankan government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to India, Shenuka, played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the programme.
Tamil Nadu Minister Senji Masthan took special care of the Sri Lankan refugees, providing necessary documentation support for the programme’s completion.
Gratitude was expressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Minister of External Affairs Jai Shankar, Minister of Home Affairs Amith Sha, and Tamil Nadu BJP State President K. Annamalai for their continuous support to the Sri Lankan refugees.
