The UNHCR is closing its full operations in Sri Lanka by the end of 2024, shifting to a liaison presence from 2025 because most internally displaced persons from the civil war have returned home. Additionally, Sri Lanka is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, has no domestic legal framework for refugees, and has faced security concerns, making it a transit point rather than a permanent destination for asylum seekers.
Key Reasons for Reduced UNHCR Presence:
Key Reasons for Reduced UNHCR Presence:
- End of War Operations: With the civil war concluded and internal displacement largely resolved, the UNHCR deemed it appropriate to phase down operations.
- Legal Status: Sri Lanka is not a party to international conventions that protect refugees, resulting in no local laws to manage asylum claims, making refugee care a logistical challenge.
- Security and Economy: The country faces immense economic challenges, and security concerns arose after the 2019 Easter attacks, leading to increased scrutiny of refugees.
- Transition to Liaison Role: The UNHCR will maintain a limited liaison presence instead of a full operational office.
- Resettlement Challenges: Over 176 registered asylum seekers as of mid-2024 faced a halt in resettlement processing.
- Discontinued Aid: The UNHCR has discontinued monthly subsistence allowances and education assistance for many refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
- Uncertain Future: Refugees, particularly from countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, face uncertain futures as they are not formally recognized by the Sri Lankan state.
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