SLPP’s Cassilingam urges India–Sri Lanka talks to focus on refugees, fishermen, connectivity

Colombo, April 19 (Daily Mirror) - Jaffna District Organizer of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Geethanath Cassilingam, has called on Sri Lanka and India to use the upcoming visit of the Indian Vice President to address long-standing humanitarian and livelihood issues affecting communities on both sides of the Palk Strait.

In a statement, Cassilingam said the high-level visit should move beyond ceremony and protocol and instead focus on resolving matters that have remained unaddressed for decades.

He highlighted the situation of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu, noting that many continue to live in uncertainty without a clear path forward.

“For decades, these refugees have waited for a durable and dignified solution. Their future cannot be postponed indefinitely,” he said.

Cassilingam urged both governments to establish a joint mechanism to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees, ensuring their safety, dignity and reintegration into society.

He stressed that any repatriation process must be humane and transparent, adding that returnees should not face harassment, intimidation or bureaucratic obstacles upon arrival in Sri Lanka.

The SLPP organizer also drew attention to the long-standing fishermen dispute in the Palk Strait, where fishermen from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province have frequently faced arrests and conflicts.

He called for both governments to work closely with representatives of the affected fishing communities to develop a fair and sustainable solution to the issue.

Cassilingam further emphasized the need to strengthen connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, stating that historical ties between the two regions should be reflected in present-day policy.

“The waters between our two nations must not become a barrier to a relationship that has existed for thousands of years,” he said, pointing to the long-standing cultural and economic links across the region.

He urged both governments to use the visit to agree on a clear, time-bound framework that would address the refugee issue, resolve the fishermen dispute and enhance cross-border connectivity.

The Indian Vice President’s visit is expected to include bilateral discussions on a range of political and economic matters, with observers noting that regional cooperation and people-to-people issues are likely to feature in the talks.