UNHCR facilitates return of refugees to Island nation

Officials scrutinised the documents such as refugee family identity card issued by Tamil Nadu government, passport, marriage certificate, birth certificate issued either by Indian government or by SL government and details about relatives in Sri Lanka with whom they intend to join and their address along with phone number and the exit permit issued by the respective district collector.

According to the revenue officials here, a large number of Sri Lankan refugees from Tiruchy, Erode, Pudukkottai, Namakkal, Tiruppur and Sivagangai have expressed their willingness through letters to the UNHCR to return to the Island nation.

“More than 4000 persons, across Tamil Nadu, have expressed willingness to return to the island nation. These camps are being held at select spots to facilitate people to return to Sri Lanka,” said R Eswaran, OfERR (Organisation for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation) Regional coordinator.

Meanwhile, the Special Deputy Collector (Refugee Camp) S Natarajan said UNHCR officials are making arrangements to send them back safely after checking their passport and their native places in Sri Lanka. “Most of them opt to return to Jaffna and Vavuniya,” Natarajan said. He said that these camps are periodically arranged and participants are given Rs 750 as conveyance to attend it.