In a heartfelt appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has called for an end to the decades-long legal limbo faced by nearly 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in the state. Writing in a DO letter, Stalin framed the issue as one of profound humanitarian, constitutional, and national significance.
These refugees fled the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka starting in 1983, finding shelter in Tamil Nadu with the central government’s nod. Over the years, state governments have provided them with sustenance allowances, education, and healthcare. Today, most have resided in India for over 30 years, with around 40% born here, deeply integrating into local communities.
Despite this, they remain trapped in uncertainty without citizenship or long-term visas. Stalin highlighted a state-appointed advisory committee’s findings, led by the Minister for Non-Resident Tamils, which identified several categories eligible for regularization: those born in India before June 30, 1987, children of Indian parents, spouses of Indian citizens, people of Indian origin, and long-term visa candidates.
He pointed to the 2003 Citizenship Act amendment introducing ‘illegal migrants,’ adversely affecting these humanitarian arrivals, and 1986 administrative orders halting citizenship applications. Recent steps like the 2025 Immigration and Foreigners Exemption Order offer hope.
Citing the Madras High Court’s 2019 P. Ulganathan vs. Union of India ruling, Stalin urged a humane judicial approach. His four key demands include scrapping outdated directives blocking citizenship, waiving passport-visa rules based on state-verified IDs, empowering district officials for streamlined processing, and clarifying that refugees registered by January 9, 2015, are not ‘illegal migrants.’
Stalin emphasized their four decades of dignified living in India, with state approval, calling for a compassionate resolution from the Prime Minister to secure their future.