The United Nations has expressed support for Sri Lanka's recent move to streamline immigration procedures aimed at enabling the voluntary return of Sri Lankan refugees currently residing in India.
The United Nations has welcomed Sri Lanka's decision to simplify its immigration processes to support the voluntary return of refugees from India who departed during the country's prolonged armed conflict. According to the UN, the Sri Lankan government introduced special administrative arrangements earlier this month designed to expedite this homecoming process.
Sri Lankan refugees began migrating to Tamil Nadu in substantial numbers following ethnic tensions that erupted in 1983 and the subsequent civil war between state forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which lasted approximately three decades. While approximately 18,000 refugees have returned between 2002 and 2022, around 90,000 individuals remain in the southern Indian state, according to UN figures.
Those still in India face significant obstacles to return, including concerns about employment prospects, documentation requirements, and their legal status in their country of residence. Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Secretary-General's representative in Sri Lanka, described the Cabinet's decision as a significant development. The UNHCR, the UN's refugee agency, plans to continue supporting both the return and resettlement of these displaced persons. Franche stated that the streamlined procedures represent progress toward ensuring displaced refugees can return "safely and with dignity" following their extended period away from home.
