Waiting to open a new chapter in their lives back home
Refugees who returned recently from Tamil Nadu under an UNHCR programme talk about their hopes and fears with S. Rubatheesan
After 24 years for the first time P. Kugan is returning to his motherland, or at least to the country where his parent’s roots lie. He was born and raised in a refugee camp in Gummidipoondi, Tamil Nadu after his family left the country during the war in 1990.
“I’m hoping to start a new life with a new job here. I have completed my higher studies in India. So I’m optimistic,” he said.
With hope and slight trepidation in their hearts 66 Lankan Tamil refugees living in camps in Tamil Nadu returned to Sri Lanka on Wednesday in an initiative facilitated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Some naturally have fears about their future and starting a new chapter in their lives.
M. Mankayarthilagam, a 48 yearold widow from Elalai, Jaffna is here on her own and she is uncertain about her future.
“My husband is from Mannar. We fled the country in 1990 in boats to India. He died due to illness in the camp. I have no children. I have asked my sister to look after me but I don’t want to be a burden to her,” she said.
Puwanenthiran Nilanthan, a youth from Murasumottai, Kilinochchi said although his family decided to return to Sri Lanka before him they are still trying to build a house.
“Our home was shelled during the war now only the land is left. We have to build a new house. There are a lot of things to be done here so I returned,” he said.
Returning after 24 years A.Francis Pil- lai from Mannar said he is not sure whether his house or land is still in tact. He returned with his wife after he came to know that some of his land was being transferred by relatives without his knowledge.
Sepamalai, wife of Francispillai said, they left their children in India and returned to Sri Lanka to see the possibilities of starting a new life here.
“If the current situation continues, we will consider bringing our children too and settle down here,” she said optimistically.
Vairamuttu Rasamma (78), the oldest returnee in the group said she was happy to be back home.
“I have seen my grandsons and greatgrandsons. What I want to do is to spend the last years of my life at home with my grandchildren. There’s nothing like being back in my village even heaven. This is our
Earlier they were not happy to return to Sri Lanka. Now normalcy has returned. An interrogation process that was carried out at the airport in the past has lessened significantly.