India to send 30 Sri Lankan refugees to homeland

According to Sri Lanka's ministry data, more than 5000 refugees have returned to the country since 2011

According to the Sri Lankan government, India has agreed to send 30 refugees from south India to their homeland in Sri Lanka next week.

According to media reports, the refugees will return as part of a voluntary repatriation programme assisted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

V. Sivagnanasothy, Secretary of the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs, said the UNHCR will provide free air tickets, a re-integration allowance of $75 per person, a transport allowance $19 and a monetary non-food grant of $75 to each family.

Since 2011, the ministry said, 5,110 refugees (1,863 families) have returned to Sri Lanka. Over 100,000 refugees are currently in India.

The provision of dry ration to them has already been approved for six months.

The ministry has instructed officials to provide compensation for those who have lost their houses, have sustained injuries or have lost their family members.

The Sri Lankan government, under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena, has initiated measures to encourage the voluntary refugee returnee programme in a phased manner. It believes that the current trend of increased number of returnees is a sign of reconciliation and moving towards permanent peace.