31 Lankan refugees to return home from India

At least 31 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, India are set to return home on Thursday under the UNHCR facilitated voluntary repatriation programme, Secretary to the ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs V.Sivagnanasothy confirmed. They are scheduled to arrive through Mihin Lanka Airlines (MJ 130) at 11.45 a.m from Chennai.

D.M.Swaminathan, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs had a discussion with the UNHCR and facilitated the process and increased the baggage allowance per person with assistance of the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development, Mihin Lanka Airlines. These refugee returnees will get back to Trincomalee, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Pollonnaruwa and Jaffna.

Mr.V.Sivagnanasothy said that the UNHCR provides free air tickets, reintegration allowance of US$ 75 per person, transport allowance US$ 19 per person and monitory non-food grant of US$ 75 per family. 

Since 2011, already 4,733 refugees (1,718 Families) have returned to Sri Lanka. Over 64,000 are stationed in 109 welfare camps in India. Totally, over 100,000 refugees are currently in India.

Minister Swaminathan already submitted a Cabinet paper seeking financial support to provide livelihood assistance to the refugee returnees which is now being referred to the national planning authorities to consider with the comprehensive project proposal.

Further, the provision of dry ration has been already approved for six months. The REPPIA has been instructed by the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs to provide compensation for those who have lost their houses and suffered loss of lives of kiths and kins and for injuries. 

Secretary Mr.V.Sivagnansothy informed that, the refugees who loss their houses will be provided with houses under the 65,000 housing programme of the Ministry. 

"The Government of Sri Lanka has initiated action to encourage the voluntary refugee returnee programme on a phased out basis and the current trend of increased refugee returnees is a sign of reconciliation and moving towards permanent peace," he said.