A group of 58 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees lived in camps in Tamil Nadu, India are arriving Sri Lanka today under the UNHCR facilitated voluntary repatriation program.
The Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province yesterday said that 58 members of 23 families who left for India as refugees during the war will return to country on April 09.
Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy said the group comprising 26 males and 32 females is scheduled to arrive on SriLankan Airlines flights UL 138, UL 132 and UL 122 flights.
Upon their arrival, the refugee returnees will resettle in Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Trincomalee and Colombo.
The UNHCR has been assisting the voluntary repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees. The organization provides free air tickets, reintegration allowance of Rs.10,000 per adult or Rs.5,000 per non-adult, Rs.2,500 and Rs.5,000 and non-food allowance of Rs.10,000 per family.
The Ministry will provide them Rs.5,000 each at the airport, Rs. 25,000 to construct a temporary shelter, Rs.3,000 for equipment, Rs.5,000 for land clearance said, Secretary to the Ministry V. Sivagnanasothy.
They would be given special marks when selecting for livelihood programs and housing items, the Ministry said.
Courtesy: Colombo Page
