Future of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in India

Future of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in India R. K. Radhakrishnan Senior Deputy Editor Frontline

Who is a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee? • People who live in government-run camps • Those who live outside camps, have a refugee certificate from the District Collectorate, and are registered with the nearest police station • Former Tamil militants held in special camps

The context 3 lakh ethnic Sri Lankan Tamils fled the country and sought refugee in Tamil Nadu in 4 phases from 1983 Phase 1: 1983 -87 Phase 2: From mid-1990 Phase 3: 1995 -1999 Phase 4: 2006 -2009 Just over 2 lakh have returned

Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee Statistics 1, 02, 055 refugees (34, 524 families) live in Tamil Nadu Of this, 64, 924 (19, 625 families) live in 109 refugee camps (Source: Chief Minister O. Paneerselvam’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, January 2015)

Focus of this presentation Discussion restricted to Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in India There are various other groups that require attention and are not included such as: - The Plantation Tamils who have been displaced/relocated/sent back to India - IDPs in Sri Lanka, including Muslim IDPs - Diaspora Sri Lankan Tamils

Living a nightmare The living conditions in camps are pathetic • Most accommodation built in early to late 1980 s and not repaired since then (10 x 10 sq. ft. rooms) • Sanitation issues • In 2009, DMK Ministers visited almost all camps to identify shortcomings • Routine seizing of illegal facilities (LPG etc)

The hurriedly built dwellings now abandoned Photos: R. K. Radhakrishnan

Some British era structures, modified, have collapsed

1 of 2 well maintained buildings in Mandapam

This is the second one…

Rajapalayam (Vinayakapuram) Open camp

A ‘camp’ PDS shop

Vinayakapuram: Straight out of Northern Sri Lanka

A view of the poultry farm converted to a camp

A view of the Mallankinaru camp

An alley in Mallankinaru

Reality of the Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee

Observations… Refugee camps: Rural, Urban and Special. - Rural camps: No jobs, no facilities - Urban camps: Better job opportunities, better electricity and other facilities - Special camps: Literally black holes. Said to be worse than rural camps

The Refugees’ Questions… • Who will guarantee our safety? • What help do we get to rebuild our lives? • Will we be given a place to live in our villages, if we go back? • Can we take back all our belongings? • Will we be forced to leave? • Can’t we be allowed to live here as Indian citizens?

Summary of findings… • The fate of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees staying outside and have overstayed their initial permitted period of visit. • Their request is for a one-time pardon immediately so that they can make a decision on their future.

The way forward • Why do refugees not want to go back? - Lack of a sense of security - Distrust of Sri Lanka’s political leadership - No incentive to start life again in Sri Lanka - Information void

Assistance to Indian Returnees (2009 -2015) Mannar District Drinking water Housing Temporary Agriculture Fishing Electricity Livelihood Shelter Items Others Requirments Provided Requirments Provided Provided No. of. GN Memb No. of Division ers family Requirments Name of the Ds Division S/NO Sanitation 1 18 497 153 47 106 50 77 80 43 0 37 86 45 7 122 0 43 1 73 45 2 Nanattan 32 718 218 74 144 62 107 80 77 88 56 87 76 71 89 18 83 47 32 46 38 3 Musali 8 231 60 41 19 10 50 35 25 - 19 29 27 3 57 4 43 6 50 - 60 4 Madhu 17 216 62 49 13 22 33 41 19 24 9 40 20 20 37 24 24 - - 5 Mannar Manthi west 25 210 79 44 35 36 39 40 29 26 30 43 14 56 10 46 1 17 7 36 1872 572 255 317 180 306 276 193 112 147 272 211 115 361 56 239 55 172 53 179 (Source: Government of Sri Lanka, 2015)

Hope…

Hope…

Ending the status quo One generation fled a war. The next has grown up in India in a limiting, abnormal atmosphere. The resentment of the new generation is not only against Sri Lanka. Addressing this post-war mindset among refugees requires new thinking.

Ending the status quo • Removement restrictions on refugees • Don’t stand in the way of legitimate transit to a third country • Tamil Nadu take the lead in verifying refugee claims on land etc with Governments of India and Sri Lanka

Thank You