Approval granted for Sri Lankans returning from India
13-Aug-2026.
The Cabinet has approved the provision of immigration clearance facilities to Sri Lankan nationals who left the country during the war without using authorised ports of departure and valid passports, subsequently obtained refugee status in India, and have established their Sri Lankan identity and wish to return to Sri Lanka voluntarily.
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa made the announcement while briefing the media on Cabinet decisions at the Government Information Department on August 11, 2026.
According to his announcement, owing to the uncertain situation prevailing in the country during the war, certain persons migrated to India without travelling through an authorised port of departure or using valid passports and were subsequently registered as refugees by the Indian Government. They are now seeking to return voluntarily to Sri Lanka through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The Attorney General’s advice had been obtained regarding the immigration clearance facilities required for them to return to Sri Lanka. In accordance with the advice provided by the Attorney General, Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to make the necessary arrangements for such Sri Lankan nationals to return to the country by following the procedures set out below.
In respect of persons who left the country before August 1, 2006, without using an authorised port of departure and a valid passport and who subsequently migrated to India, an approval report is to be obtained from the State Intelligence Service after their Sri Lankan identity has been confirmed through the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission in India.
It must be confirmed that such persons have not committed offences such as murder, treason or any other offences specified under or imposed by special provisions of the law.
Such persons will be issued temporary emergency passports and permitted to enter Sri Lanka through an authorised port of entry without being subjected to legal action under the Immigration and Emigration Act No. 20 of 1948.
Sri Lankan nationals who left the country between August 1, 2006 and May 19, 2009, when the war ended, without using an authorised port of departure and a valid passport and migrated irregularly to India will, after their identity has been established as stated above and approval clearance has been obtained from the State Intelligence Service, be permitted to enter Sri Lanka through an authorised port of entry without legal action being taken against them under the Immigration and Emigration Act No. 20 of 1948, in accordance with the powers vested in the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration under the said Act.
Persons identified as having committed offences such as murder, treason or offences specified under special provisions of the law will be detained at the ports of entry and referred to the relevant authorities for necessary further legal action, he said.
