According to a press release from the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, a survey was conducted at the Madurai district collectorate on November 21 and 22 to assess the viability and efficiency of extending such services to refugees living in 115 camps across the State. A total of 303 applications were accepted in Madurai. After processing, 250 birth certificates were handed over to the relevant applicants there itself, said Dilani Weerakoon, Second Secretary.

The mobile service has been launched as part of its outreach programme- an initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa- calling upon all Sri Lankans abroad to return to their motherland.
The birth of hundreds of Sri Lankan children born in the State who were living in refugee camps were yet to be registered under the act of Consular Functions of Sri Lanka.

Similarly, numerous unregistered marriages need to be registered and Certificates of Marriage have to be issued. Possession of such documents would help the refugees for a smooth transition and rehabilitation once they were back in Sri Lanka, the release said.

The mobile consular service was conducted in collaboration with the State Rehabilitation Department and Of ERR, an NGO working with Sri Lankan refugees. Similar mobile services would be commenced at respective collectorates in districts where Sri Lankan refugees were living.