Lankan Ranger
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Return of Sri Lankan Tamils from India begins
The first batch of Sri Lankan refugees returning from India on a commercial ferry is to start October 12th, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR in Geneva said today.
A small group of refugees 37 individuals representing some 15 families are to depart Tuticorin port of India for Colombo on Wednesday. A welcoming ceremony at Colombo port is planned with Sri Lankan government officials, port and shipping authorities and UNHCR, Adrian Edwards of the UN Refugee Agency said at the press briefing in Geneva Tuesday.
The returns are part of a voluntary, facilitated repatriation programme, supported by the governments of both India and Sri Lanka.
Up to now the refugees have returned to Sri Lanka from India by air and the transport by ferry is significant as it allows them to bring their possessions, the UNHCR said.
Many refugees are waiting for ferry returns in order to transport their household possessions with them. Each person could bring up to 150 kilograms of their belongings.
The UN agency says since the conflict ended in May 2009, Sri Lankan refugees have been steadily returning back to their home country, mainly from India with a few from other countries. Over 1,400 refugees have returned so far this year, compared to 2,054 refugees in 2010.
Sri Lanka : Return of Sri Lankan refugees from India on ferry to start Wednesday
The first batch of Sri Lankan refugees returning from India on a commercial ferry is to start October 12th, the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR in Geneva said today.
A small group of refugees 37 individuals representing some 15 families are to depart Tuticorin port of India for Colombo on Wednesday. A welcoming ceremony at Colombo port is planned with Sri Lankan government officials, port and shipping authorities and UNHCR, Adrian Edwards of the UN Refugee Agency said at the press briefing in Geneva Tuesday.
The returns are part of a voluntary, facilitated repatriation programme, supported by the governments of both India and Sri Lanka.
Up to now the refugees have returned to Sri Lanka from India by air and the transport by ferry is significant as it allows them to bring their possessions, the UNHCR said.
Many refugees are waiting for ferry returns in order to transport their household possessions with them. Each person could bring up to 150 kilograms of their belongings.
The UN agency says since the conflict ended in May 2009, Sri Lankan refugees have been steadily returning back to their home country, mainly from India with a few from other countries. Over 1,400 refugees have returned so far this year, compared to 2,054 refugees in 2010.
Sri Lanka : Return of Sri Lankan refugees from India on ferry to start Wednesday
