Over 100,000 Refugees Still Overseas

By Maryam Azwer

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says around 140,000 Sri Lankans who have sought asylum overseas are yet to return home.

Earlier this month, the number of refugee returnees for the year hit the 1000 mark, with the latest UNHCR statistics showing a total of over 1,200 returnees so far.
“There are still some 140,000 Sri Lankan refugees in other countries, a majority of them in camps in Tamil Nadu. Large numbers are also staying in countries such as France, Germany and Canada,” UNHCR Deputy Representative in Sri Lanka, Jennifer Pagonis said.
Statistics have shown an increase in refugee return numbers this year, when compared with previous years, the UNHCR said.
“In the period January-July 2011, UNHCR helped some 1,233 persons return under its facilitated repatriation programme, which is somewhat higher when compared with last year, which saw the return of some 972 persons during the same period,” Pagonis said.
She further noted that “Returning home is a very individual decision and refugees will weigh up a number of factors before deciding to come home.”
Following their return, issues sometimes arise with regard to resettlement.
“Returnees who have the relevant documentation or are able to prove land ownership generally do not have any problems accessing their lands,” she said. “However, land issues are very complex in a post conflict scenario and therefore refugees, both IDP and returnees, may face problems in accessing land due to lost documentation, secondary occupation, and changes in boundaries,” she said. Meanwhile, Secretary, Ministry of Resettlement, B.M.U.D. Basnayake, said that in most cases, particularly when refugees were returning from India, the Ministry was given prior notice, and would instruct the relevant Government Agents to locate the returnees’ original lands. He also said that roughly 3,500 asylum seekers had returned to the country since the end of the war. “We are anticipating more returns this year,” he added. Most refugees return with UNHCR assistance, and are met by UNHCR officials on arrival. They are also given a standard reintegration grant, and a transport grant. A Resettlement Ministry official also meets with the returnees, following co-ordination with the UNHCR, said Ministry Secretary, Basnayake.