30 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, India will arrive in Sri Lanka under the UNHCR facilitated voluntary repatriation program.

V. Sivagnanasothy, Secretary, Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs confirmed that of these 30refugee returnees 13 are males and 17are females. They will get back to Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, and Trincomalee.

Minister of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs had a discussion with the UNHCR and facilitated the process and increased the baggage allowance per person with assistance of the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development.

Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy informed that, the refugees who have lost their houses will be provided with houses under the housing programme of the Ministry. “The Government of Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena has initiated action to encourage the voluntary refugee returnee programme on a phased out basis and the current trend of increased refugee returnees is a sign of reconciliation and moving towards permanent peace”, he added.