What now for Lankan Tamil refugees in India?

On Thursday (29 May 2025) the plight of thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees languishing in India was forcefully brought to our minds.

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A 75-year-old former Sri Lankan Tamil refugee returning from India was detained by immigration authorities. He was later remanded, despite the victim’s refugee status being certified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The incoming former refugee was detained by immigration officials and subsequently remanded for a week — the gentleman had left the country without a valid passport! So wherein lay the problem? The immigration officer was following the law. The Magistrate who imposed the detention order had no right to change the law - despite the 75-year-old being in possession of relevant documents.

Former ITAK parliamentarian Sumanthiran, who appeared on behalf of the accused gentleman, raised a strange question: “is this a move by the government to frighten 10k others who’ve registered to return?” he asked on X.

In parliament, Minister Bimal Ratnayake clarified that the detention was not government policy but an automatic application of the country's laws. He assured immediate action to revise the process.