The Sri Lankan Tamils who arrived on the shores of Tamil Nadu, India, for the first time in 1983 had lost everything.
Their only objective was to save their lives from the hate-filled ethnocentric violence which caused their displacement.
Most vulnerable Sri Lankan Tamils chose India due to its proximity, accessibility and linguistic commonality of Tamil.
Though aware of all the hardships, they were leading a threat-free life in Tamil Nadu.
Since 1983, 3,34,797 Sri Lankan Tamils have sought refuge in Tamil Nadu
Currently, as of January 1, 2024, there are 57,975 refugees living in 105 government-run camps in Tamil Nadu and an estimated 40,000 Sri Lankan Tamils living outside the camps in Tamil Nadu with police registration
Every person in the camp is registered.
And every person receives a monthly dole after a bimonthly roll call that ensures the presence of the person in the camp.
In addition to the cash dole, there are several benefits such as free housing, electricity, water and monthly food rations.
They also have access to all the welfare schemes available to the people of Tamil Nadu including the latest women’s rights scheme of ₹1,000 per month.
In terms of education, the refugees have access to government schools, and receive the additional benefit of ₹1,000 a month if they progress to higher education.
There are also specific one-time education support programmes that are available to refugees — arts and science college students get ₹12,000 and students of engineering courses get ₹50,000.
Most recently, the Government of Tamil Nadu has handed over brand new homes to about 5,000 Sri Lankan Tamils.
A costing study that was completed in end-2023 documented that the government spent about ₹262 crore on refugees
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