The Hindu : Citizenship for 1.68 lakh Tamils of Indian origin

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 08, 2003

International

International

Citizenship for 1.68 lakh Tamils of Indian origin

Colombo Oct. 7. Sri Lanka today unanimously decided to grant citizenship to 1,68,141 Tamils of Indian origin, who are among the main workforces in the country and have contributed immensely to the economy over the past many years.

An official said the Bill, presented by the Interior Minister, John Amaratunga, in Parliament last month, was unanimously passed today.

About 84,141 people, who were issued Indian passports and opted to return home, had to stay back due to the ethnic riots in July 1983 and the suspension of ferry service between Talaimannar and Rameswaram.

Further 84,000 people, who have not been issued Indian passports, were residing mainly in the Central province of Sri Lanka.

UNI

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