Land and housing are the two major issues that need to be addressed satisfactorily, say refugees who have returned to Sri Lanka’s North from their camps in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. Only then, the say, can there be a large scale voluntary repatriation of refugees.

Anjana Devi and Indira Gandhi, who returned to Sri Lanka 12 years ago, say those who own land in the North should be given a financial package for constructing new houses or rebuilding their old ones.

They also call for a special programme for the landless. An official in Colombo says the Indian government should come forward to build at least 5,000 houses for refugee-returnees.

Jesuraj, a 23-year-old native of Mannar who returned last year, feels that those who are studying in the 10th standard should complete their university education in India before deciding to come back. He acknowledges that not all the educated returnees can be accommodated in the North and the East. Those wanting to migrate to Colombo may face problem when it comes to communication as Sinhala is the main language there.

Sasigaran, another refugee returnee, says the Sri Lanka government has to formulate a scheme to take care of livelihood issues of persons like him.
Considering these and many other issues, the OfERR (Organisation for Eelam Refugees’ Rehabilitation) has prepared a proposal, covering seven stages such as travel from refugee camps in Tamil Nadu to native villages in the North, subsistence and livelihood. According to the NGO’s calculations, each family will have to be provided with around Rs. 35.5 lakh.

(The Hindu)

-Agencies