R.A. Pathum, Chanchala Rajapaksha, and Ahsan Afthar serve as the youth champions of the Youth Beyond Borders program, launched by Kenon Foundation Asia and Sri Lanka Unites, focuses on empowering youth in the peace building sector.
The project team has been researching the refugee issue in the Indian Ocean region. Their primary objective is to contribute to regional harmony and peace-building efforts in Sri Lanka by addressing the challenges faced by refugee families and displaced individuals who have not been able to resettle after the civil war. By providing support, advocacy, and raising awareness, the project aims to foster empathy, understanding, and solidarity among communities, ultimately promoting reconciliation and harmony. This article is based on their findings and observations.
The Earth is rife with struggles and conflicts, exposing human beings to unprecedented vulnerabilities. The refugee issue stands out as a prominent human catastrophe among others.Consider the situation where one day you are forced to leave behind all your possessions accumulated throughout your life's journey and be separated from your loved ones due to reasons beyond your control. The refugee issue epitomizes such a scenario.
According to the UN refugee agency, a refugee is defined as "people forced to flee their own country and seek safety in another country." They are unable to return to their own country due to feared persecution based on who they are, what they believe in or say, or because of armed conflict, violence, or serious public disorder.
Currently, there are more than 35.3 million refugees worldwide, with an estimated 41 percent being children.The Indian Ocean region is particularly significant concerning the refugee issue. Bordered by countries representing the global south, this region has been home to several armed conflicts for the past few decades, forcing over a million people to become refugees.
As Sri Lankans, it is imperative to be aware of refugee matters. Presently, more than 500 refugees reside in Sri Lanka (According to the agency’s latest data from mid-2023, there are 567 refugees and 224 asylum seekers in Sri Lanka). Additionally, over 50,000 Sri Lankans seek asylum in other countries as refugees.
By 2024, the majority of refugees seeking protection in Sri Lanka have come from Pakistan, representing the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Another portion of refugees has arrived from Myanmar, Afghanistan, and a few other countries located around the Indian Ocean.
The project team visited Ahmadiyya refugees, most of whom have chosen Negombo as a place of refuge. While UNHCR or other relevant authorities do not provide contact information for this community due to security measures, the Negombo Muslim community supported the project team's visit to this vulnerable group.These refugees live in groups, with separate family units, each with their own stories of fleeing their countries due to threats from religious extremists. Some have been living in Sri Lanka for over 15 years, yet they still lack adequate living facilities.
Observations indicate that all refugees currently staying in Sri Lanka under the protection of UNHCR remain until they receive refugee visas for another country. Canada, the USA, or Western European countries are favored destinations for most of them. According to a woman waiting for her visa for 10 years, "Language barrier is the most critical issue for us, causing delays in our visas. Those proficient in English have the opportunity to obtain visas within a few years. Due to a lack of language proficiency, we struggle to maintain good connections with embassies where we have applied for asylum."
The Sri Lankan government allows these individuals to access free health facilities. However, the prohibition on employment in Sri Lanka under local law has a negative impact on them. One father of four children stated, "UNHCR provides some assistance through NGOs, but it's not sufficient to cover living expenses. Therefore, if the government allows us to work, it would greatly benefit us."
The project team also met with the venerable father of the Wellaweediya Church in Negombo, who shared his experiences of assisting refugee families over the years. “They have often requested aid from the church, which is usually provided. Many of them rent houses from neighbors”.Additionally, the project team consulted with the Negombo Police Station regarding the lifestyle of the refugee community. Officers from the community division of the police shared their experiences, stating, "We rarely receive complaints from them. We recall one murder case involving a refugee from Pakistan, but apart from that, there have been no significant incidents."
Local residents living near refugee settlements also provided feedback, noting, "These refugees have not caused any trouble so far. We see them struggling with many difficulties, mostly related to economic problems."However, a new problem has arisen with UNHCR's decision to halt missions in Sri Lanka. UNHCR discontinued the monthly allowance for refugees in December (Initially, UNHCR granted them a monthly allowance of 22,000 rupees ($68), which was later increased to 43,000 rupees ($134) due to skyrocketing inflation in 2022). This allowance was crucial for refugees as they are not permitted to work in Sri Lanka under local law.The project team attempted to discuss not only UNHCR's decision to cease missions but also how to collaborate as a youth group to support the refugee community. However, their response was negative, indicating reluctance to engage with youth groups like us.
According to media, UNHCR announced plans to close its Colombo office in December due to most internally displaced people from Sri Lanka's long civil war having returned to their native places.
The UNHCR is the only agency in Sri Lanka that handles refugee registration, submits applications for permanent relocation on their behalf to other nations, provides individualized monthly allowances, and arranges scholarships for children's schooling. Therefore, we think that this issue should be the center of attention for the global society.However, neither the 1951 UN Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol are ratified by Sri Lanka, nor does it have any national legislation or procedures pertaining to refugees or asylum seekers. Due to the current circumstances, refugees are using Sri Lanka as a transit country while the UNHCR helps with their relocation. In order to address the issues this refugee community is facing, we implore the Sri Lankan government to pay attention and take the appropriate action (Sri Lanka should enact domestic laws and mechanisms to process asylum applications and offer permanent resettlement and citizenship to at least a small number of people).
Ultimately, we are all human. Refugees have attained their status through no fault of their own. It is our collective responsibility to protect them and provide necessary support.
Authored By R.A Pathum
