News

UN refugee agency alarmed over incident at Colombo refugee shelter

27 Sep, 2017

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is alarmed and?concerned by yesterday?s incident at a refugee shelter housing mostly women and?children on the outskirts of Colombo.

On Tuesday, a group protested outside the shelter housing 31 refugees ? most of?them women and children ? who had been rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy from a?boat in Sri Lankan waters in April this year.

The refugees were eventually evacuated?to safety by the authorities to whom UNHCR is grateful for support and protection extended to refugees.

UNHCR is equally concerned for the safety and security of its partner?s staff?present during the incident who were providing humanitarian assistance to the?refugees.

UNHCR emphasizes that refugees are victims of violence and persecution who?need international protection and assistance. UNHCR urges the public and all those?concerned with refugees to continue extending protection and to show empathy for civilians fleeing persecution and violence.

In Sri Lanka, the presence of refugees and asylum-seekers is authorized by the?Government. In consultation with the authorities, UNHCR provides assistance to?refugees until longer-term solutions can be found. (Colombo Gazette)

Recommended For You

Feature Image

The Fate of Chinese Confucius Institutes in the UK At Stake

China is extremely worried about the status of Confucius institutes operating out of British universities after Rishi Sunak took over as Prime Minister. Sunak had come hard on China in July while racing for the coveted post as he promised to ban all 30 Confucius Institutes in the UK if he came to power. The Department for Education, UK has already tightened its position on Confucius Institutes stating that the Government was ?committed to doing more to adapt to China?s growing impact? and encour

28 Nov, 2022

Feature Image

XI HUNGERS FOR GLOBAL INTERACTION AFTER GETTING THIRD TERM

President Xi Jinping revives interaction with world leaders after securing his third term of power at the communist party?s 20th congress last month. He makes it apparent that in full control of power internally, he now wants to bolster China?s image in the world as its tensions rise with the West. Within days of the Congress, Xi had meetings with heads of government of Tanzania, Pakistan, Vietnam and Germany. Pakistan was important from Xi?s point of view as leverage against India as well as t

28 Nov, 2022

Feature Image

Magical Kashmir: Blazing autumn attracts couples to Kashmir for pre-wedding shoots

The autumn’s blazing shade on the Kashmir Valley has attracted young couples from across the country to capture a pre-wedding living memory. Kashmir has been witnessing unending tourist footfall this year from across the country as peace and normality has overtaken the turmoil of decades. Under the blazing leaves of Chinar trees in Mughal-era built gardens of Nishat and Shalimar, dozens of couples from different states have arrived for pre-wedding shoots. Usually, tourists throng these gardens

28 Nov, 2022