Sri Lankan refugees in India to receive facilitation for voluntary return

Saturday, 15 August 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved a special mechanism to facilitate the voluntary return of Sri Lankan nationals who fled to India during the conflict without passing through an approved port or obtaining a formal passport and were subsequently registered as refugees by the Indian Government.

The Cabinet approval follows instructions obtained from the Attorney General on providing the necessary immigration clearance facilities for those seeking to return through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Under the approved arrangements, Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in India will first verify the identities of individuals who left the island without using an approved port or a formal passport before 1 August 2006. Once their identity as Sri Lankan nationals has been confirmed, a clearance report will be obtained from the State Intelligence Service (SIS).

The authorities will also verify that the individuals concerned have not been involved in murder, treason, or offences covered by special provisions of the law. Those who satisfy the required conditions will be issued temporary passports, enabling them to enter Sri Lanka through a recognised port without legal action being taken against them under the Immigration and Emigration Act, No. 20 of 1948.

Similar arrangements will apply to Sri Lankan nationals who travelled informally to India between 1 August 2006 and 19 May 2009, the date on which the war ended. Those who can establish their Sri Lankan identity and obtain the required clearance from the SIS will be given an opportunity to enter Sri Lanka through a recognised port without legal action under the Immigration and Emigration Act, in accordance with the powers vested in the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.

However, the arrangements will not apply to individuals found to have committed crimes, acts of treason, or offences covered by special legal provisions. Where such offences have been established, the individuals will be detained at the port and referred to the relevant institutions for appropriate legal action.

“The Government’s decision is intended to facilitate the orderly and voluntary return of Sri Lankan refugees from India, whilst ensuring that necessary identity, security, and legal checks are completed before their arrival,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing on Tuesday.

The proposal to this effect was submitted by Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala.