The Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai on Saturday launched special consular services for Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu, distributing citizenship certificates and birth certificates to them with a view to encouraging them to return home.

Deputy High Commissioner R.K.M.A. Rajakaruna issued the citizenship certificates to 58 refugees from the Gummidipoondi camp and birth certificates to 59 children of 34 families in Keezhputhupattu camp in Villupuram district. These certificates will be sent to Sri Lanka for obtaining citizenship certificates, the Hindu reported.

According to the Deputy High Commission statistics, as many as 4,033 birth and citizenship certificates have been issued since 2009.

““The time has come when our people are now wishing to return to Sri Lanka with the dawn of peace. We welcome all our citizens back to our motherland,” Deputy High Commissioner said.

“We are holding this special consular service to facilitate the impending return of those who are present here as well as other Sri Lankan national living in 110 camps in Tamil Nadu.”

He sought the cooperation and assistance of Union and State governments to ensure the successful completion of this process.

“We are endeavouring to make the return more meaningful to you,” he said.