Sri Lanka issues ’All Country Passports’ to resettled nationals in Tamil Nadu

21 January 2024 08:43 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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Jan 21 - The Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai marked a significant milestone on January 19, 2024, as it hosted a ceremony to deliver the inaugural batch of passports to Sri Lankan nationals resettled in Tamil Nadu.

This initiative, orchestrated by the Government of Sri Lanka, introduces "All Country Passports" for the resettled Sri Lankans in Tamil Nadu, India.

Under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Chennai, in collaboration with key stakeholders, successfully implemented the program.

During the ceremony, the first batch of 197 passports was handed over to the respective applicants, signifying a crucial step in the initiative.

Distinguished guests, including representatives from the Central Government of India and the State Government of Tamil Nadu, such as Minister Gingee K.S. Masthan and Arun Shakthi Kumar, participated in the event. Also in attendance were B. Krishnamoorthy, Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Tamil Nadu, and Commissioner of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, underscoring the collaborative effort.

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne, and Senthil Thondaman, Governor of the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka, graced the occasion. Notably, Mr. Sagala Ratnayake, Senior Advisor to the President, and senior officials from relevant government stakeholder institutions in Sri Lanka joined the event virtually.

This groundbreaking initiative by the Government of Sri Lanka holds historical significance, providing Sri Lankans who departed the country since 1983, amid socio-political developments and long-standing ethnic conflicts, with legitimate Sri Lankan travel documents after a decade-long hiatus.

Comments - 9

Who pays the fees for these Sunday, 21 January 2024 09:16 PM

Is it taxes collected from public which provides for these or are those getting passports paying the full fee like everyone else living in Sri Lanka.

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kumar Monday, 22 January 2024 09:26 PM

Remain calm. Free passports will not be issued by SL Immigration. They either pay the appropriate fee or someone else would. They were driven from their native lands by racist jerks such as you. If not, they wouldn't have to wait for their passports and live there like refugees.

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Aimless fellows Sunday, 21 January 2024 09:59 PM

Now u can go to USA

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Mokan Sunday, 21 January 2024 09:59 PM

Good Move

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sach Monday, 22 January 2024 04:28 AM

Does RW have mandate to do this?

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Terrence K Monday, 22 January 2024 06:34 AM

How is it that the Sri Lankan government issue passports to people who have resettled in Tamil Nadu. Immigration law specifies that an individual can only have one passport and if one has been resettled it is construed that he is a citizen of that country. Even a dual citizen cannot have two passports only an endorsement on the passport of the resettled country. Any clarification on this matter?

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kumar Monday, 22 January 2024 09:31 PM

Don't show your stupidity. Initially, a dual citizen is permitted to hold two passports. In this instance, they were granted refugee status rather than Indian citizenship. It's not the same as citizenship.

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Rip Winkle Monday, 22 January 2024 01:31 PM

Yet another pre election political gimmick

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Terrence K Tuesday, 23 January 2024 08:39 AM

@Kumar before calling other people idiots your knowledge of the immigration laws shows it can be only written on a .25 cents stamp. The law says you cannot hold two passports irrespective of having dual citizen status. For eg. my wife who is a Sri Lankan now holding british citizenship and a dual citizen was requested to surrender the Sri Lankan passport when she visits Sri Lanka by the Immigration in UK and they wanted an endorsement from the Sri Lankan High Commission in UK to this effect to enable them to renew her passport in UK. Also when people go as refugees to another country and when refugee status is given they are issued a travel document that specifically says about their status and these people are ashamed of this and (SL Passport is a bonus ) Status is different given to those who have emigrated in compliance of the Immigration laws of those countries. The reason why two passports cannot be held by a person is fraudulent insertion of anothers photograph.

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