Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Provide Dual Citizenship Status To Srilankan Tamil Refugees. on 24 November, 2009
> Title : Need to provide dual citizenship status to Srilankan Tamil Refugees.
*SHRI P.LINGAM (TENKASI) : The refugee influx from across the palk straits is continuing for many of years now resulting in thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka thronging India especially Tamil Nadu. These Sri Lankan Tamils are staying in more than 115 refugee camps in Tamil Nadu and most of them are there fore long number of years. They must be facilitated to lead an independent civilian life as they are deprived of it for long now. Hence there is a need for our Government to wipe out their tears and their problems. They must be granted citizenship in India that may help them and our nation as well mutually. I understand that the previous NDA regime had granted dual citizenship to certain NRIs living in certain countries. In the same way, the Government of India must come forward to address the problems of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees as they are people of Indian origin. The must get dual citizenship. This will help solve the problems and mitigate the sufferings of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. So I urge upon the Government to grant dual citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who are in our refugee camps for a very long time.