UN refugee agency commends Lanka's progress

UN's top refugee agency commended the progress made by Sri Lanka in reintegrating over five lakhs of displaced persons since the end of the battle against terrorism in 2009.The Sri Lankan government has made great strides in reintegrating 573,651 returning displaced people since the end of terrorism in 2009, according to a statement issued by the UN refugee agency, United High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

UNHCR is assisting the Sri Lankan government in finding durable solutions for the remaining displaced people.

"Likewise, Sri Lanka has effectively dealt with the issue of statelessness on its territory by passing legislation enabling Tamils of Indian-origin, who had been previously disenfranchised, and a population of ethnic Chinese, who had been in the country since the 1940s, to access citizenship," it said.

"Sri Lanka is often cited as the best practice in the region in resolving issues of statelessness," the statement said. - PTI