# Sri Lanka Tamil refugee repatriation initiative > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lanka-tamil-refugee-repatriation-initiative > Updated: 2026-08-22T12:02:57.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The Sri Lankan government has approved new measures to facilitate the voluntary return of Tamil refugees currently residing in India. The initiative targets individuals who fled the country during the civil war, specifically those who departed before August 1, 2006, and may lack valid documentation. Under the new arrangements, returning nationals will undergo security screenings by the State Intelligence Service to check for histories of treason or murder. Those cleared will be permitted entry through authorized ports or airports using temporary passports, and the government will waive legal proceedings regarding their original unauthorized departures. Approximately 90,000 refugees remain in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The United Nations has welcomed the decision, with the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka describing the move as a “key step towards a safe & dignified return after years of displacement.” The repatriation process is viewed as a component of the nation’s post-war reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: Sri Lanka simplifies immigration to facilitate refugee return from India The United Nations praised Sri Lanka's new measures to simplify immigration procedures, aiming to facilitate the voluntary return of Tamil refugees currently living in India. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sri-lanka-simplifies-immigration-to-facilitate-refugee-return-from-india ### 2026-08-19: Sri Lanka to simplify return of Tamil refugees from India Sri Lanka is simplifying immigration processes to allow Tamil refugees in India to return home voluntarily, using security screenings and temporary passports to bypass previous legal and bureaucratic hurdles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sri-lanka-to-simplify-return-of-tamil-refugees-from-india --- Cite as: Sri Lanka Tamil refugee repatriation initiative. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lanka-tamil-refugee-repatriation-initiative