Sri Lanka said the emphasis by the international community that the island was now free from the dangers that constrained it during the time of the conflict, has been an important factor for those who left the country as refugees during the time of the conflict to return.

Addressing the 101st Council Session of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Geneva, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha had observed that emphasis by the international community that Sri Lanka was now free from the dangers that constrained it during the time of the conflict, has been an important factor for those who left the country as refugees during the time of the conflict to return, with the joint assistance of the host countries, and organisations such as the IOM.

He however said, “At the same time illegal people-smuggling rings continue to rob families not only of their hard-earned savings, but sometimes even their loved ones.”

Noting that the IOM, as well as a number of foreign governments had in recent months acknowledged that many Sri Lankans who continue to arrive on foreign soil illegally, were in fact economic migrants and not refugees, Ambassador Aryasinha said Sri Lanka remained committed to work with international partners toward raising awareness as to the dangers relating to illegal migration, with a view to end such practices.

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)