Voluntary Repatriation to Sri Lanka.txt

Voluntary Repatriation to Sri Lanka

01. A group of 500 refugees returning from India to which they had fled, mostly in 1990, from
the civil war between the Sri Lankan Government and the separatist LTTE. Talaimannar Pier,
Mannar Island.

02. Returnees waiting to be registered at Talaimannar railway station, which was converted into
a reception centre for the repatriation operation.

03. At Trincomalee Reception Centre, the luggage of the returnees who stay here for three or four
days before moving on, either to their home villages or, pending their resettlement in another
area, to Open Relief Centres run by UNHCR.

04. Tamil returnees disembarking at Trincomalee port.

05. Doctors make medical checks of all returning children. They are vaccinated against tetanus,
diptheria and polio. Talaimannar Reception Centre, Mannar Island.

06. Returnee women at Pallimuni village on Mannar Island. They received a small business loan
under a UNHCR micro-project, enabling them to make an income through raising poultry.

07. Returnees at Asikulam camp near Vavuniya, where they can stay until arrangements have been
made for a safe return to their homes, of for resettlement in a new area. This family has set
up a market stall to make some income.

08. At a UNHCR-funded vocational training centre in Vavuniya, returnees can learn new skills,
thus improving their employment prospects. One of the courses is computer training.

09. The Open Relief Centre in Madhu includes a Tamil primary and secondary school. The Centre is
run by UNHCR.

10. At the Tamil Primary School. Open Relief Centre in Madhu.

11. A well, provided under a UNHCR micro-project, benefits both returnees and IDPs resettled
in the area. Samayapuram village, Vavuniya area.

12. An embroidered panel made by a returnee on Mannar Island depicts the refugees' repatriation
from India.