Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Sri Lanka Approves Voluntary Return Path for Civil War Refugees
Many years ago, a war happened in Sri Lanka, and many people ran away to India to stay safe.
Now Sri Lanka has said those people can come back home if they want to.
Some of them left without the right papers, so new rules were made to help them.
Before coming home, they must show that they are really Sri Lankan citizens.
They also must show that they did not do bad things like hurting people.
If they are cleared, they get a temporary passport and can enter Sri Lanka through a proper port.
If they did something bad, they will be stopped at the port and handed over to the authorities.
Many of these refugees live in a part of India called Tamil Nadu, and some were born there.
Around the same time, nine Indian fishermen were arrested near a small island called Katchatheevu, and their boat was taken.
The fishermen are worried and want the governments to help them.
Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved special arrangements for the voluntary return of citizens who fled during the civil war and live in India without valid passports or after leaving through unauthorised ports.
Refugees who left Sri Lanka between August 1, 2006 and May 19, 2009 must obtain a clearance report from the State Intelligence Service, verified through Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in India.
Cleared returnees will receive temporary passports and can enter through an authorised port without prosecution under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act No. 20 of 1948; those involved in offences like murder or treason will be detained at the port of entry.
Around 89,000 Sri Lankan refugees live in and outside camps across Tamil Nadu, with nearly 40% born in India; former Chief Minister MK Stalin urged PM Modi to intervene.
The Sri Lankan Navy arrested nine Indian fishermen off Katchatheevu and seized a boat, the third in one and a half months, and the Saveriyar Fishermen Association warned of protests, saying detentions have continued under the Tamil Nadu government led by Joseph Vijay.
- Who
- Sri Lanka's Cabinet, Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Lankan Navy, Indian fishermen, and Tamil Nadu's former Chief Minister MK Stalin.
- What
- Sri Lanka approved arrangements for the voluntary return of refugees who fled during the civil war, while the Sri Lankan Navy arrested nine Indian fishermen off Katchatheevu.
- When
- Reported in August 2026; the return facility covers refugees who left Sri Lanka between August 1, 2006 and May 19, 2009, and the fishermen's arrest was reported on a Thursday.
- Where
- Sri Lanka; Tamil Nadu, India; Katchatheevu and Rameswaram.
- Why
- To enable refugees to return home voluntarily and address the long-standing situation of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu; fishermen's arrests remain a recurring source of India–Sri Lanka tension.
- Cabinet Decision
- Special arrangements approved for the voluntary return of Sri Lankan refugees living in India
- Eligible Period
- Refugees who left Sri Lanka between August 1, 2006 and May 19, 2009
- Clearance Body
- State Intelligence Service, verified through Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in India
- Documents Issued
- Temporary passports; entry via an authorised port
- Legal Protection
- No prosecution under the Immigrants and Emigrants Act No. 20 of 1948 for cleared returnees
- Refugees in Tamil Nadu
- Around 89,000, with nearly 40% born in India
- Fishermen Arrested
- Nine Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy off Katchatheevu
- Boat Seized
- Mechanised boat 'Wellington', the third captured in one and a half months