Remove us from definition of ‘illegal migrant’, Sri Lankan nationals request Prime Minister

A section of Sri Lankan nationals living in camps in Tamil Nadu, has launched a campaign requesting the Prime Minister of India to remove them from the definition of “illegal migrant” in the Citizenship Act, 1955. The open letter to the PM further sought for providing them a “pathway to apply and conferring with Indian citizenship taking consideration of our prolonged refugee status.”

N. Saravanan, residing in Minnur camp in Tirupattur district said the inmates expressed their gratitude for granting the Sri Lankan nationals in India, an exemption from penal provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 through order issued on September 1, 2025 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. “We, the Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee community residing in Tamil Nadu, wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the Prime Minister and the Government of India for the compassionate decision for granting us relief longing for four decades.”

“We are carrying out a campaign in all camps across Tamil Nadu. Vinothan of Paramathi camp in Namakkal district and Anitha of Thiruvathavur camp in Madurai district and several other volunteers are leading the campaign in all the camps,” Mr. Saravanan said.

The decision reflected India’s enduring values of compassion, justice and humanity enshrined in the concept of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, a copy of their letter to the PM said. “We are living peacefully in India for more than 40 years, contributing to societal development and respecting the law of the land with utmost honour. We are a part of the social and cultural fabric of India. We are having strong bonding and love here.”

In the letter, they requested the Prime Minister of India to kindly consider and take action for removing us from the definition of “illegal migrant” in the Citizenship Act, 1955 and provide us a pathway to apply & conferring with Indian Citizenship taking consideration of our prolonged refugee status. They further requested for continued compassion, understanding, and commitment to justice. “We remain confident that under your visionary leadership, a permanent and dignified solution will be achieved for the Sri Lankan Tamil refugee community in India.”