Information Guide - UNHCR · UNHCR Information Guide for Sri Lankan Refugee Returnees 2 1.3...

UNHCR Facilitated Voluntary Repatriation

Information Guide to Support Safe Return of Sri Lankan Refugees

May 2015

ii UNHCR Information Guide for Sri Lankan Refugee Returnees

IF YOU ARE A SRI LANKAN REFUGEE WHO WANTS TO RETURN HOME

UNHCR CAN HELP YOU!

Every year, UNHCR helps hundreds of Sri Lankan refugees and asylum-seekers to voluntarily return back home. This UNHCR information and preparation guide is intended to provide the necessary basic information that would allow you to make an informed decision.

If you are thinking about returning to Sri Lanka and you want to obtain UNHCR assistance, we can provide you with: counselling and advice; assistance needed to meet the international travel, exit and entry requirements; obtain necessary documentation; provide you with reintegration grant and post-return assistance. For more information, contact us:

UNHCR in India:

Chief of Mission Office B-2/16, Vasant Vihar, 110057 New Delhi Tel: + 91 11 2469 4256 Fax: + 91 11 4353 0460 E-Mail: [email protected]

Chennai Field Office No. 11, 17th Cross Street, Besant Nagar 600090 Chennai Tel: + 91 44 2446 1734 Fax: + 91 44 2446 1733 E-Mail: [email protected]

UNHCR in Malaysia:

Representation Office 570 Jalan Bukit Petaling 50460 Kuala Lumpur Tel: +60 3 2118 4800 Fax: +60 3 2141 1780 E-Mail: [email protected]

UNHCR in Sri Lanka: Representation Office 97, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 Tel: +94 (0)11 268 3968 Fax: +94 (0)11 268 3971 E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.unhcr.lk

Kilinochchi Field Office 152, Vanniyasigam Lane, A9 Road, Annthapuram , Killinochchi Tel: +94 (0)21 228 5402-03, Fax: +94 (0)21 2285510-11 E-Mail: [email protected]

Jaffna Field Unit 223, Temple Road, Nallur, Jaffna Tel: +94 (0)21 222 2005 Fax: +94 (0)21 222 4534 E-Mail: [email protected]

Vavuniya Field Unit 10, 10th Cross Street, ( Attached to IOM) Vairavapuliyamkulam, Vavuniya Tel: +94 (0)24 222 5972 Fax: +94 (0)24 222 0579 E-Mail: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]







iii UNHCR Information Guide for Sri Lankan Refugee Returnees

iv UNHCR Information Guide for Sri Lankan Refugee Returnees

Contents

1.1 Make the decision: Do you want to come back home? ................................................... 1

1.2 What can UNHCR do for you? .......................................................................................... 1

1.3 Pre-departure information ............................................................................................... 2

1.4 On arrival in Sri Lanka ....................................................................................................... 2

1.5 After reaching home ........................................................................................................ 3

2.1 Important Documents ...................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Housing, Land and Property ............................................................................................. 4

2.3 Employment and income ................................................................................................. 4

2.4 Education .......................................................................................................................... 5

2.5 Healthcare ........................................................................................................................ 6

2.6 Get involved in your Community ..................................................................................... 6

I. Important things to do before and after you arrive in Sri Lanka ............................. 1

II. Overview of the current environment in Sri Lanka ................................................ 4

III. General Condition of Northern and Eastern Province ........................................... 7

Annex I: Contact Details of the District Secretariats in Sri Lanka ............................. 12

Annex II: Land related forms ..................................................................................... 13

Annex III: Contact Details of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka ....................... 15

1 UNHCR Information Guide for Sri Lankan Refugee Returnees

I. Important things to do before and after you arrive in Sri Lanka

There are number of important things to do before and after you arrive in Sri Lanka. Every refugee returnee will encounter different situations, thus the information provided is only an indication of what you may need to do at different stages.

1.1 Make the decision: Do you want to come back home?

If you are considering returning home, it is important to remember the decision to return is yours. During the time that you’ve been away, the situation in Sri Lanka has also changed. Try to find out as much information as possible by:

i. Contacting your family members and friends where you intend return in Sri Lanka by telephone, letter or email and ask what the current conditions are in your intended place of return.

ii. Speaking to UNHCR officials in the country where you are taking refuge or asylum.

UNHCR staff will be able to discuss your options and help you understand what type of assistance you may be able to receive.

1.2 What can UNHCR do for you?

If you decide to obtain the assistance of UNHCR in facilitating your return to Sri Lanka:

i. UNHCR Sri Lanka staff will meet and greet you at the airport in Colombo to make sure you have arrived safely.

ii. UNHCR staff will assist you to complete immigration, security and customs formalities at the airport.

iii. UNHCR will open a bank account for you and deposit the UNHCR reintegration grant. Each adult individual will receive LKR 10,000 and each minor will receive LKR 7,500. A passbook will be handed over to you.

iv. UNHCR will provide you with a cash transport grant of LKR 2,500 to help you get back to your home in a safe and dignified manner.

v. UNHCR will provide you with a grant of LKR 5,000 per individual family and LKR 10,000 per family to procure non- food items.

vi. When you reach your town or village contact the closest UNHCR office to register for protection monitoring.


1.3 Pre-departure information

Once you’ve decided to return to Sri Lanka through UNHCR facilitation, make sure to do the following before you depart the country of asylum: i. You should register the birth of any

children who were born outside Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan Consular Office in your country of asylum. Try to obtain Consular Birth Certificates and Citizenship Certificates for the children who born outside of Sri Lanka through the nearest Sri Lanka Embassy/Consulate.

ii. Collect all your family and individual

identity documents and guard them carefully. Make sure you take them with you to Sri Lanka in the bag provided by UNHCR.

These documents include: Passports, Birth Certificates, Birth Registrations, Sri Lankan National Identity Cards, Land documents, leaving certificate from the school/s (if any), educational Diplomas and Certificates from primary & secondary schools, vocational and university courses and medical documents.

iii. UNHCR staff in the country of asylum will help you to fill out a Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF). You must keep this form safely in the UNHCR bag provided until you arrive in Sri Lanka. Hand over the form only to a UNHCR staff member when you arrive.

iv. Fill in the Bank of Ceylon account application form and keep it safely in the UNHCR bag.

v. UNHCR staff will also give you any other information that you may need to return

safely.

1.4 On arrival in Sri Lanka

The day of arrival can be strenuous with emotions and anxiety. UNHCR staff will accompany you through the arrival formalities and assist you throughout your clearance process before taking you to the UNHCR office at the Airport.

Speak to the UNHCR staff members wearing blue UNHCR vests or t-shirts before you reach the immigration counter. At The UNHCR Office inside the Airport, staff will assist you: i. To open a bank account with the Bank of Ceylon (BOC) and deposit your reintegration

grant in your new account. This will enable you to withdraw money from BOC branches island wide;

ii. To receive your transportation grant in cash to help you get from the airport to your place of origin;

iii. Counselling and information regarding your return.


iv. The Voluntary Repatriation Form will be checked by UNHCR staff. v. Keep the signed Voluntary Repatriation Form safely with you at all times.

1.5 After reaching home

i. Register with the Grama Niladhari office of the Sri Lankan Government in your village. Take with you a copy of the VRF and your emergency travel documents.

ii. Be in contact with the UNHCR Staff in your District of return. You can do this by: Taking your Voluntary Repatriation Form with you. Provide your contact details to UNHCR. Inform UNHCR of any special needs or concerns you or your family members may

have. Attend the Mine Risk Education session. Talk to your local public health office about health screening. Inform UNHCR staff and the local authorities if you change your address.

Contact the UNHCR Office nearest to you:

District Address and Contact number Office Hours

Jaffna UNHCR, 223, Temple Road, Nallur, Jaffna Telephone:+94 (0)21 222 2005

Every Thursday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm

Kilinochchi 152, Vanniyasingham Lane, A9 Road, Anathapuram, Kilinochchi Telephone: +94 (0)21 228 5402

Every Monday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

Mullaitivu Mullaitivu Kachcheri, Mullaitivu Telephone: +94(0) 21 228 5402

Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month 10.00 am to 12.00 pm

Vavuniya District Social Service Department, 6th Lane, Vairavar Kovil Road Vairavapuliyamkulam, Vavuniya Telephone: +94 (0)24 222 6328

Second Tuesday of every month 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Mannar District Social Service Officer, Department of Social Service, Mannar Kachcheri Telephone:+94 (0) 24 222 6328

Every Third Thursday of the month 9.00 am to 12.00 pm

Trincomalee Department of Social Services (Eastern Province), Inner Harbour Road,Trincomalee Telephone: +94 (0)26 222 2875

Last Wednesday of every two months (starting January) from 9.00 am to 12:00 pm


II. Overview of the current environment in Sri Lanka

Many districts of Sri Lanka, especially those in the Northern and Eastern Provinces have undergone drastic changes in the post war development era, between 2009 and 2014. These include visible changes in the general atmosphere and living conditions. This section will provide you with general background and cover subjects that are most relevant to ensure a smooth return back home.

2.1 Important Documents

Civil Documentation If you do not have, or have lost any of your civil documents, such as: birth, marriageand/or National Identity Cards contact your local District Secretariat Officer/ Local NGO OfERR who will be able to give you further information and assist in obtaining replacements. UNHCR can also refer you to the relevant authority or agency to obtain assistance to get replacements. Citizenship Documentation If you require citizenship documentation for you or your family members contact the local District Secretariat (Registrar’s Office) or the OfERR (Ceylon) office nearest to you. Refer Annex I for the contact details of the OfERR Offices and District Secretariat that is closest to you.

2.2 Housing, Land and Property

In January 2013, the Sri Lankan Government issued a circular called ‘Accelerated Programme on Solving Post Conflict State Lands Issues in Northern and Eastern Provinces’ (Circular No 2013/1). These circular sets out the guidelines to solving issues related to State Land in the Northern Province. If you are faced with problems related to land; i.e. do not have a land document, lost land

document or land is occupied by others, please visit your DS or GN to obtain more information

and submit your claim. Ensure to receive an acknowledgment receipt from the authorized

officer. These forms are available free of charge. If you do not have a land to live in the area of

return, visit your DS or GN to register your name in the landless family list to be considered for

state land. Refer Annex II for the sample forms.

If you require legal advice, for example, relating to housing, land and property issues or other civil disputes please contact the Legal Aid Commission Office in your district. Please refer Annex III for the contact details of Legal Aid Commission Branch offices.

2.3 Employment and income

Earning a living or an income will be a priority for you. There are a number of opportunities in your area of return to restart your former livelihood activity or a new income generating activity.


Ask your DS Officer or UNHCR staff which agencies are providing livelihood assistance in your area. You may approach them directly to request for assistance. You can also use the UNHCR reintegration grant to help start up a small business or buy the necessary equipment, i.e. farming or fishing etc. The A9-road and the railway line between Jaffna, Madawachchiya, Thalaimannar and Colombo Fort are accessible to the public. Transportation of goods to and from main cities is convenient due to no restrictions and limited checkpoints. Prices of goods in the north and east, including essential food, are almost the same as in Colombo. Mine clearance is focussed mainly on residential areas, which means some farming land may still be mined. It is important to check with your DS or GN Officer, relatives, friends or neighbours in your village if your farming land is clear of mines. Areas where fishing is restricted are:

District Passes Required

Areas Restricted

Mannar Yes N/A

Trincomalee Yes Sampoor, Soodaikudah, Koonitheevu & Illakanthai

Jaffna Yes High Security Zones-Palali, KKS, Urani, Myliddy, Valali, Akkarai

Killinochchi/ Mulliativu

No No

2.4 Education

Many schools that were damaged during the war are reconstructed across the north and east. The number of functional schools in the Northern Province has increased to 989 and serves nearly 252,059 students as of end 2013. Likewise, in the Eastern Province 992 Schools out of 1025 are functioning with a total student body of 386,072. Despite the steady progress in post conflict development, the education sector requires significant changes across all levels. For instance, the lack of resources such as teachers, books and equipment needs to be addressed. Many schools do not have an English-based curriculum. Parents are encouraged to bring all documents and certificates from schools attended by their children outside of Sri Lanka in order to obtain the Equivalent Education Certificate. This certificate will allow your children to attend any school within Sri Lanka. Once you return, you must show the certificates from schools attended in the country of asylum to the Ministry of Education (Isurupaya) in Colombo. Please contact your local DS regarding this and they will assist you in contacting relevant authorities.


Ask UNHCR staff to refer you to the relevant authority or agency who will be able to assist you to convert your education certificates.

No of Schools functioning in respective Districts

District Trincomalee Mannar Jaffna Vavuniya Kilinochchi Mullaitivu

Schools 280 115 416 188 88 83

Foreign university degree holders: If you have graduated from a university listed in the Commonwealth University Yearbook (check www.ugc.ac.lk), your degree will be recognised in Sri Lanka by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Foreign diplomas for vocational programmes from institutes are not accepted by the University Grants Commission. Once you return to Sri Lanka, please visit the UGC (No. 30, Ward Place, Colombo 7) or contact Mr. S.A.S Perera, Senior Staff Assistant, UGC (+94 11 2695301) for more information.

2.5 Healthcare

In the North, health services have improved but are still limited, especially in rural areas. There are General Hospitals in Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Trincomalee, Killinochchi and Mulaitivu town areas. The Vavuniya and Jaffna General Hospitals remain the main hospitals for specialized treatments. Other districts also comprise of divisional level hospitals where treatments for various ailments can be obtained. Upon your return to Sri Lanka, please make an appointment and visit the nearest District Tuberculosis Control officer (DTCO) for your free screening and treatment for Tuberculosis. District Tuberculosis Control officers (DTCO) in the Northern Province:

2.6 Get involved in your Community

In general each district has number of Rural Development Societies and Women Rural Development Societies that harness the talents and efforts to enhance cooperation and development. These Societies, both at district and division levels are coordinated through the Rural Development Officers and Women Rural Development Officers to bring in livelihood and vocational training opportunities. Likewise, Youth Resource Centres function to cater to the training and livelihood needs of the youth in the districts. Under the ministry of Youth Affairs, Youth Services Officers in district and divisions coordinate activities such as sports, livelihood and vocational training specifically targeting the youth. Vocational Training Centres and Technical College (NAITA) also function exclusively for the skill development of the youth. The training courses are conducted free of charge for the war affected youth.

District Name Tel Fax

Jaffna Dr.Manivasan 021-2227234 021-2229971

Kilinochchi Dr.M.M.Kodithuwakku 021-2285329 -

Mannar Dr.Ansala 023-2251554 023-2251101

Mullaitivu Dr.Wasavan 024-3248131 -

Vavuniya Dr.Chandrakumar 024-2221421 024-2222892

http://www.ugc.ac.lk/


III. General Condition of Northern and Eastern Province

Jaffna:

Reconstructed Roads and infrastructure Jaffna Railway Station

Branch of State Bank of India in Jaffna Bustling Jaffna City

Jaffna Hospital rebuilding livelihoods in Jaffna


Killinochchi:

Livelihoods Tailoring/sewing

Killinochchi town and infrastructure


District Secretariat in Killinochchi Railway Station

Women’s Rural Development Society Livelihood programmes Mannar and Vavuniya

Women’s Rural Development Society Livelihood programmes

Central Bus Stand Vavuniya


398 individuals (161 families) have returned home through the Voluntary Repatriation Programme in 2014. —read some of their stories to find out what it was like for them to return home…

No Place Quite Like Home Moving from one location to another in search of safety was the life known to Bernard and his family.

Today, he is back in his home town- Chavakachcheri, Jaffna. Mariya Bernard explained what his life was

before he decided to come back to his home town. Recalling his grim past, he said “Every situation we

found was very tense in nature. We moved because of the war. We moved again because Liberation

Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) was recruiting children that are of similar ages to that of my own. Fear drove

us to move to the point we realised there was no other option than to leave the country.”

Bernard and his family, consisting of his wife and three children, lived in the Mandapam Refugee Camp

in Chennai, India for six years. Recalling his life as a refugee, Bernard said “we received all kinds of

assistance while living in the camp. We

received financial assistance and we

had enough money to live a decent life.

I didn’t work because my children sent

us money from abroad.”

When people started to return back to

Sri Lanka, I too registered with UNHCR.

“I wanted to see and care for my

mother before it’s too late” said Mr.

Bernard recalling his decision to return.

He added that many refugees in India

are fearful of the security situation in

Sri Lanka because of the rumours and

stories they hear through media. He

added saying “I too was worried about

the security situation but my main

concern was access to housing. I was told we would have access to shelter assistance upon return. I

already had land, what I wanted was to rebuild my house. Upon my return, I did not face any security

problems; initially there were check-ups by military to see if I was at the address I provided. But then

they stopped. Now no one hassles us.”

Bernard and his family benefited by receiving from air tickets, transport and reintegration grant from

UNHCR. He didn’t receive any assistance to rebuild his home yet as the Indian Housing Project didn’t

cover the area where his land is situated. But Bernard remains hopeful that he’d be able to obtain

assistance from the government.

One year after arriving, Bernard and his family believe that they made the right decision to return to

their home town and to restart life surrounded by family and relatives. “I’m very happy to be back

because at the end of the day there is no place quite like home. I used the money UNHCR gave me to

start my own business in distributing eggs to small shops and it is bringing us enough income.”


Velu Paramsothy and his family in their grocery shop

On My Own Two Feet

Velu Paramsothy, 37, is a father of three sons and a daughter. At the height of the Sri Lankas’ civil

conflict in 2008, he risked the safety of his entire family in search of protection in India. Recalling his

memories, the smile disappears and gloom takes over his bright face “Entire village was on the run and I

had to protect my family. I took my wife and children to Mannar, from there we took a boat to India.”

Paramsothy’s family lived in the Mandapam Camp in Ramnad District in India for three years before

they decided to come back to Sri Lanka through the UNHCR Facilitated Voluntary Repatriation

Programme. “UNHCR provided us with tickets and transport. They also gave us a reintegration grant,

though it was small, was a great help to restart my life again” he said recalling their return to damaged

house with barren land. He recalls his efforts to rebuild his house slowly. He managed to complete

restoring the house with the assistance he received through the Indian Housing Project.

Reflecting back on the early days of return, Paramsothy recalls the hardships of his life. “Initially I

worked as a day labourer, earning minimum wage. I pulled together all my savings and started a small

food stall. As you can see, now I’ve managed to expand it to a grocery shop.” Paramsothy intends to

build a new restaurant and is hopeful that he would be able to obtain a loan through the state bank for

this purpose. “I don’t earn a lot of money but I’m happy to be back in my own country.”

Hope radiating through his face, Paramsothy is happy with his decision to return to Sri Lanka. “I think it

takes courage to come back. Though it was hard to re-adjust initially, I’ve set returning home as my

goal. That way it was easier to face the challenges life threw at me.” Continuing the light conversation,

he glances over his children and his wife and repeats “I’m happy that there is no war, I’m happy to be

with my family in my own home.”


Annex I: Contact Details of the District Secretariats in Sri Lanka

(Address: Second Floor, 2B, Jeyawardena Place, Off Hill Street, Dehiwala -Sri Lanka OR web: http://www.oferr.org).

OfERR Ceylon (Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu) OfERR Ceylon (Vavuniya) 16/02, Ganeshapuram, Kilinochchi. 107, Mannar Road, TP;+94(0)212285681 Kurumankadu, Vavuniya

T.P:+024-222 5802

District Secretariats in Sri Lanka

Northern Province Eastern Province

Jaffna District Secretariat Tel: +94 (0) 21 222 2233 / +94 (0) 021 222 2234

Ampara District Secretariat Ampara Tel: +94 (0)63 222 2233

Kilinochchi District Secretariat A-9 Road, Kilinochchi. Tel: +94 (0)21-228 3945

Batticaloa District Secretariat Kachcheri, Batticaloa. Tel: +94 (0)65 222 4435

Mannar District Secretariat Main Street, Mannar Tel: +94 (0)23 222 2234

Trincomalee District Secretariat Trincomalee Tel: +94 (0)26 222 2233

Mullaithivu District Secretariat, Mullaitivu town, Mullaitivu. Tel;+94(0)212290035

Vavuniya District Secretariat, A9 Road, Vavuniya Tel: +94 (0)24 222 2235

http://www.oferr.org/


Annex II: Land related forms


Annex III: Contact Details of the Legal Aid Commission of Sri Lanka

Head Office: No 129, Hulftsdorp Street, Colombo - 12, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94-11-5335329 / +94-11-5335281 Fax: +94-11-2433618 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.legalaidcommission.com

Northern Province Eastern Province Jaffna Court Complex, Jaffna Tel: +94 (0)21 222 4545

Ampara Court Complex, Ampara Tel: +94 (0) 63 222 3496

Killinochchi Legal Aid Commission- Killinochchi District Magistrate Court Complex, A 09 Road, Kilinochchi Tel: +94 (0)55 222 5759, +94 (0)21 228 5618

Batticaloa Court Complex, Batticaloa Tel: +94 (0) 65 222 5399

Mannar Legal Aid Commission-Mannar Court Complex, Mannar Town Tel: +94 (0)23-2222045

Trincomalee District Magistrate Court Complex, Trincomalee TP +94-(0)26- 2226328

Mullaithivu Legal Aid Commission- Mullaithivu District Magistrate Court Complex, Tel: +94 (0)21 229 0077

Vavuniya Court Complex, Vavuniya Town A9 Road, Vavuniya Tel: +94 (0)24 222 1863

http://www.legalaidcommission.com/

For Additional Information about the UNHCR Voluntary Repatriation Programme:

Sanjitha Satyamurthy, Assistant Protection Officer

UNHCR Sri Lanka, No 97, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7

E-mail: [email protected]; Tel: +94 11 268 3968; Fax: +94 11 268 3971; Website: www.unhcr.lk

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http://www.unhcr.lk/

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