Key Takeaways:
- Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu receive all-country passports, simplifying visa applications and eliminating the need to return to Sri Lanka.
- The decision was made after discussions between Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Tamil party representatives.
- The Sri Lankan government’s move acknowledges the challenges faced by displaced citizens and opens up new opportunities.
All-Country Passports for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu
In a significant development for Sri Lankan Tamils residing in refugee camps across Tamil Nadu, the Sri Lankan government has taken a commendable step towards facilitating their international mobility. As of a decision taken in July of the previous year, these individuals are set to receive all-country passports, marking a new chapter in their lives.
Historic Decision Following High-Level Discussions
This policy change came about following discussions between Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and representatives of Tamil parties. The announcement is a beacon of hope for the approximately 60,500 refugees spread across 107 camps in Tamil Nadu.
The Impact of Issuing All-Country Passports
With the issuance of all-country passports:
- Refugees housed in camps can now apply for visas from within India.
- Previously, refugees were constrained by one-time passports, which only permitted a return to Sri Lanka for further documentation and travel processes.
- This change eliminates the need for an intermediate return to Sri Lanka, reducing complexity and cost for the refugees seeking a new life in another country.
Implementation and Distribution
On a promising Friday afternoon, the Sri Lankan deputy high commission in Chennai began the process of distributing all-country passports to applicants who had been submitting their requests over the past few months.
However, the fate of the Rajiv Gandhi released convicts—Sriharan alias Murugan, Santhan, Robert Payas, and Jayakumar—remains uncertain. While these individuals, held at the Trichy special camp, have expressed their positions to the Indian government, there’s no clear indication of their eligibility for the all-country passport. For instance,
Murugan, Payas, and Jayakumar have respectfully pleaded with the Indian government against their extradition to Sri Lanka.
On the other hand,
Santhan has taken legal action through a writ petition, displaying his desire to return to the Island nation.
Next Steps for Eligible Refugees
The Sri Lankan department of immigration and emigration had initially identified a list of 2,678 eligible Sri Lankans in rehabilitation camps as candidates for the new passport scheme. Following that, the decision was broadened to encompass the remaining Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu’s camps seeking better opportunities.
External resources such as the official Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration website provide further information for applicants interested in the process of obtaining an all-country passport.
This move by the Sri Lankan government demonstrates an acknowledgment of the challenges faced by its displaced citizens and paves the way for a more hopeful future, not just in Sri Lanka but across borders.
Learn Today:
Glossary
- All-Country Passport: A passport that allows the holder to travel to any country. In the context of Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu, the Sri Lankan government has issued all-country passports to refugees, enabling them to apply for visas from within India and travel internationally without the need for an intermediate return to Sri Lanka.
Refugee Camps: Temporary settlements or facilities where refugees who have fled their home countries due to persecution, conflict, or other reasons seek shelter and basic necessities. In this context, Sri Lankan Tamils reside in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu: A state located in south India, bordering Sri Lanka. It is home to a significant number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
International Mobility: The ability to travel and move across international borders. The issuance of all-country passports to Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu enhances their international mobility by allowing them to travel and potentially settle in other countries.
Policy Change: A modification or alteration in an existing policy. In this case, the Sri Lankan government has implemented a policy change to issue all-country passports to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe: The head of state and government in Sri Lanka at the time of the policy change regarding all-country passports for Sri Lankan Tamils.
High-Level Discussions: Meetings or negotiations involving influential individuals or representatives of different parties or organizations at a senior or influential level. The policy change regarding all-country passports resulted from high-level discussions between Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe and representatives of Tamil parties.
Beacon of Hope: A symbol or sign of optimism or inspiration. The announcement of issuing all-country passports to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees is seen as a beacon of hope for their future and prospects of a better life.
Visa: An official document issued by a country’s government, allowing a non-citizen to enter and stay within that country for a specified period or purpose.
Return to Sri Lanka: The act of going back to one’s home country, in this case, Sri Lanka. Previously, Sri Lankan Tamil refugees could only return to Sri Lanka on one-time passports for further documentation and travel processes.
Complexity and Cost: The level of difficulty and expenses involved in a process. The change in passport policy eliminates the complexity and cost associated with returning to Sri Lanka for refugees seeking a new life in another country.
Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission: A diplomatic office representing the Sri Lankan government in another country. The Sri Lankan deputy high commission in Chennai, India, is responsible for distributing the all-country passports to eligible applicants.
Eligibility: Meeting the requirements or criteria to qualify for a specific benefit or opportunity. The eligibility criteria for the all-country passport scheme includes refugees housed in camps who have been identified by the Sri Lankan department of immigration and emigration.
Extradition: The act of surrendering an individual to another country’s legal authorities for trial or punishment. The fate of the Rajiv Gandhi released convicts in Trichy special camp, including Sriharan alias Murugan, Santhan, Robert Payas, and Jayakumar, remains uncertain in terms of their eligibility for the all-country passport. Some individuals have pleaded against extradition, while others have expressed a desire to return to Sri Lanka.
Rehabilitation Camps: Facilities or centers where individuals who have been displaced or affected by conflict, natural disasters, or other situations undergo reintegration or support programs. The Sri Lankan department of immigration and emigration initially identified a list of eligible Sri Lankans in rehabilitation camps as candidates for the new all-country passport scheme.
Sri Lankan Department of Immigration and Emigration: The government agency responsible for managing immigration and emigration processes in Sri Lanka. The official department website provides further information for applicants interested in obtaining an all-country passport.
And there you have it! The Sri Lankan government has made a historic decision to issue all-country passports to Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu. This means they can now apply for visas right from India, without the need for an intermediate return to Sri Lanka. It’s a game-changer for a brighter future abroad. To delve deeper into immigration news and updates, head over to visaverge.com. Happy exploring!
This Article in a Nutshell:
Great News for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tamil Nadu! All-country passports are now being issued to refugees, allowing them to apply for visas from within India. This eliminates the need to return to Sri Lanka for further documentation and reduces complexity and costs. A promising step towards a brighter future.
