News
President, Tamil MPs discuss Sri Lanka refugees in India
By Nethmi Rajawasam
ECONOMYNEXT –The plight of Sri Lankans in Indian refugee camps was discussed during a meeting between the president and leaders of the North and East, at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (21).
Members of Parliament R Sampanthan, S Rasamanickam, G Karunakaran, T Kalaiarasan and Kulasingham Dileepan were present at the discussion which focused on the provision of land rights for the people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, the implementation of laws related to resettlement and reconciliation, and issues concerning district development, in addition to the challenges faced by Sri Lankans in refugee camps in India.
Though Sri Lankan politicians have pledged to address the larger concerns pertaining to Tamil populations, such as reconciliation, resettlement, and rehabilitation in the past, the matter of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Indian camps has yet to be addressed by a Sri Lankan head of state.
Successive Sri Lankan administrations have had differing repatriation and reintegration plans. Direct concerns over safety, lands, housing, livelihood, and reconciliation have been reported as reasons why refugees refuse to return to Sri Lanka.
Protests, political declarations, and calls for the Indian central government to be more aggressive in safeguarding the safety and well-being of Sri Lankan Tamils in India and Sri Lanka have occurred in the past.
However, interventions and actions taken by the Tamil Nadu government regarding Sri Lankan refugees have been sporadic and influenced by political dynamics, with changes in leadership, and the evolving relationships between India and Sri Lanka.
Since 2022, Sri Lanka has experienced its worst economic crisis as a result of a number of issues including the COVID-19 pandemic, dwindling tourism, the fuel crisis, a shortage of basic commodities, and soaring debt.
This has led to a rise in migration with illegal methods including ferries being used by migrants to get to Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu, which has become a viable destination.
The federal government has given Sri Lanka financial assistance totaling 3.5 billion dollars since the crisis and has allotted financial aid of 80 crore in 2021 and 2022 for welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils in refugee camps, along with cash assistance, subsidised rice and free clothes.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
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