Urgent Appeal on the Detention of a Returning Refugee at Palaly Airport

Date: May 31, 2025
His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Urgent Appeal on the Detention of a Returning Refugee at Palaly Airport

Your Excellency,

The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) writes to express its serious concern regarding the arrest and detention of a 75-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil refugee who returned from India on May 29, 2025, through Palaly Airport in Jaffna. This individual, who had fled the country decades ago, was reportedly detained on the grounds of having return to the country without a valid passport despite having secured clearance from relevant authorities and being recognized as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

This incident is not only deeply troubling but also inconsistent with your government’s publicly stated commitment to reconciliation and resettlement. Forcibly displaced individuals should not be criminalized for the circumstances under which they fled, particularly when their return is in good faith and legally coordinated. Arresting returning refugees sends the wrong message not only to the individual affected but to the thousands still considering return. It fosters mistrust, fear, and disillusionment.

As you are aware, nearly 58,000 Sri Lankan refugees continue to reside in camps across Tamil Nadu, and an estimated 40,000 live outside those camps, integrated into the local population. Reports indicate that at least 10,000 refugees have formally expressed interest in returning. However, such arbitrary and punitive treatment of returnees discourages resettlement and undermines any national effort toward post war healing and reintegration.

If Sri Lankan law recognizes the right of return for its citizens including those who left due to conflict, then the government has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure their safe, dignified, and unimpeded return.

The Canadian Tamil Congress respectfully urges Your Excellency to take immediate and corrective action: release the detained individual without delay, establish clear, humane protocols to protect returning refugees, and publicly reaffirm the government’s commitment to supporting voluntary repatriation with dignity and legal assurance.

The CTC stands ready to work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to help guide and facilitate a structured resettlement process.

Sincerely,
Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC)
info@canadiantamilcongress.ca