In a significant policy shift, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to remove existing legal barriers preventing refugees who fled to India during the civil war from returning home.
Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala confirmed that the government is preparing to amend the country’s immigration and emigration laws to facilitate the return of Tamil refugees currently residing in camps across Tamil Nadu, India. These individuals fled the northern regions of Sri Lanka during the height of the armed conflict in search of safety and security.
Wijepala noted that the current legal framework has become a roadblock for these citizens seeking repatriation. A cabinet paper outlining the proposed legal changes is expected to be submitted for approval shortly.
Meanwhile, highlighting the urgency of the matter, three individuals including a small child were recently apprehended in Talaimannar after arriving by boat from Rameshwaram, India. The police identified the arrivals as a 24-year-old couple and their 3½-year-old child, who had originally fled to India by sea in May 2023.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the case, which underscores the precarious nature of informal return attempts and the need for a formal, humane repatriation process.
The government’s latest move is seen as a step toward reconciliation and reintegration, aiming to close a painful chapter for thousands who have lived in limbo for years.
