At least 90 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, India are arriving Sri Lanka under the UNHCR facilitated voluntary repatriation programme, a statement from Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement said. They are two voluntary repatriation movements on Tuesday September 13 consisting 54 persons (20 families) scheduled to arrive from Trichy and 36 persons (15 families) scheduled to arrivfrom Chennai.
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, Sri Lankan Airlines.
V.Sivagnanasothy, Secretary, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs confirmed that of the 90 refugee returnees 45 are males and 45 are females. These refugee returnees will get back to Mannar, Trincomalee, Kilinochchi, Ampara, Colombo, Jaffna and Vavuniya.
Further, 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 4,945 refugees (1,798 Families) have returned to Sri Lanka said the Ministry Secretary V.Sivagnanasothy. Over 64,000 are stationed in 109 welfare camps in India. Totally, over 100,000 refugees are currently in India.
D.M.Swaminathan, Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs initiated a Cabinet paper on which livelihood assistance of maximum Rs. 100,000 to refugee returnees is provided to support the livelihood activities.
Further, the provision of dry ration has been already approved for 6 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.
Ministry Secretary Mr. V.Sivagnansothy informed that, the refugees who loss their houses will be provided with houses under the housing programme of the Ministry.
"The Government of Sri Lanka under the leadership of His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena 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," Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy said.
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