UNHCR pledges to continue to work with Sri Lanka

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filipo Grandi, has said the UNHCR will continue to work on, the return of those Sri Lankans who?want to return, solutions for internally displaced people and commendable work that the Government is doing for the statelessness.

The High Commissioner made this observation, in response to the national statement of Sri Lanka delivered by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha, at the 67th Session of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR, held in Geneva.

Sri Lanka said it recognizes refugee returns as vulnerable individuals who require government assistance for re-integration, and as such the Government provides assistance to returning refugees, especially in the sectors of livelihoods and housing in addition to the re-integration grant and non-food relief assistance provided by the UNHCR.

A National Steering Committee on Refugee Returnees has also been established enabling those involved in the refugee returnee process to discuss challenges, find solutions and have regular follow- up.

Aryasinha said the Government is assisted in the resettlement process by the UN and other development partners, yet, Sri Lanka requires further assistance for the displaced and the Government hopes that the international community will be forthcoming in this regard. ?(Colombo Gazette)