Repatriation of Lankan refugees in India to take about a year: Sri Lankan Minister

CHENNAI: With the new Sri Lankan government just two months old, repatriation of refugees from that country staying in India will take about a year, visiting Lankan minister D M Swaminathan said today.

This was due to various facilities, including housing, that have to be put in place for the refugees, the Minister of Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs told reporters here.

"If we take them back we have to give them among others, houses and other facilities. But the present government cannot do it (now) since it is just two months old. We will carry out the responsibility for them (refugees) by a year and take them back," he said.

To a question on welfare of minority Tamils in the island nation, he assured that a cordial atmosphere will be created for them to live in 'happiness.'