Refugee Dilemma: Sri Lankan Refugees in Tamil Nadu

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Nine years have passed since the ethnic conflict ended in Sri Lanka. The hope that Sri Lankan refugees would return to the island has been belied. This book highlights the dilemma faced by the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in the context of the twists and turns in Indo-Sri Lanka relations. The global refugee phenomenon and the Indian experience, the movement of Sri Lankan refugees to different parts of the world, the rise and fall of the Tamil Tigers and the competitive nature of Sinhala politics which stands in the way of ethnic reconciliation are analysed in detail. The peculiar problems faced by refugees of Indian origin are highlighted. The Author makes a plea for the enactment of a National Refugee Law, which should combine the humanitarian concerns of the refugees and security interests of the Indian State.

Prof. V. Suryanarayan is one of India's leading specialists in South and Southeast Asian Studies. For more than two decades he was associated with the Centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Madras, first as the founding Director and later as Senior Professor. He was Visiting Professor in several Universities in India, United States and Sri Lanka.

He was a member of the National Security Advisory Board of the Government of India for one term. He is a member of the distinguished faculty of the Symbiosis University, Pune. The Kalinga International Foundation awarded him the Kalinga Saraswathi Sammam in recognition of pioneering work in promoting relations. India-Indonesia He has written extensively on contemporary South and Southeast Asia.

I along with Prof V. Sudarsen (late), wrote a book, entitled Between Fear and Hope: Sri Lankan Refugees in Tamil Nadu (T.R. Publishers, Chennai, 2000). The publication was sponsored by the UNHCR. Augustine P. Mahiga, then Chief of Mission, UNHCR, sent a message which was included in the book. The book was received with critical acclaim, both in India and abroad.

Much water has flowed through the Palk Strait since then. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been decimated. The Sri Lankan Government has restored law and order and there is apparent calm in the country. Popularly elected governments have assumed power in the northern and eastern provinces. However, the solemn promise made by the President that he would take immediate steps to devolve powers to the Tamil provinces has not been fulfilled. What is more, there is no hope of ethnic reconciliation. While few refugees have returned to the island, majority still prefer to remain in Tamil Nadu.

My friends and well-wishers have suggested that I should bring out a revised and updated version of the book. I have heeded to their request. The result is this book. Refugee Dilemma - Sri Lankan Refugees in Tamil Nadu (New Delhi, 2018). Some parts of the earlier book have been retained; but major portions have been updated and written anew.