Archive · 5 Nov 2025
PMK Founder Demands Voting Rights for Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in TN
A leader named S. Ramadoss wants people from Sri Lanka who have been living in India for many years to be treated like regular citizens.
Many of these people came to India a long time ago because of a war in their country.
They live in special camps, and even though they work and go to school in India, they don't have the same rights as other Indians.
Ramadoss says they should be allowed to vote and get jobs like other people.
He mentioned that people from Nepal and Bhutan have more rights, and countries like Canada have given citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamils.
He believes giving them voting rights will help them get the help they need to live better lives.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss demanded voting rights and full citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu.
Approximately one lakh Sri Lankan Tamils reside in 116 refugee camps across Tamil Nadu.
Refugees are denied basic rights, including the ability to apply for government jobs, despite many being born and educated in India.
Ramadoss highlighted that refugees from Nepal and Bhutan have more opportunities for government jobs.
The demand comes as India has not signed the UN Refugee Convention, limiting international support.
Ramadoss suggested the ongoing voter registration exercise be used to grant rights to these refugees.
- Who
- Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss
- What
- Urged the Union government to grant voting rights and full citizenship privileges to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu.
- When
- Wednesday
- Where
- Tamil Nadu
- Why
- To allow refugees to live with dignity, access welfare benefits, and have their rights represented.
- Number of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu
- Nearly 1 lakh
- Number of refugee camps in Tamil Nadu
- 116
- Origin of refugees
- Sri Lanka (post-1983 civil war)
- Demands made
- Voting rights and full citizenship privileges
- Comparison to other refugees
- Nepal and Bhutan refugees can apply for government jobs
- International comparison
- Canada and Australia have granted citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamils