Colombo: Sri Lanka is grappling with growing tensions over the deportation of 116 Rohingya refugees rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy near the Mullaithivu coast in December 2024. While the government has initiated plans to deport the refugees to Myanmar, protests led by Muslim organisations and leftist groups have erupted, demanding asylum for the Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds. The issue has sparked a heated debate in the economically struggling island nation, with opposing views emerging from various sections of society.
On December 19, 2024, the Sri Lankan Navy conducted a rescue operation, saving over 100 Rohingya refugees adrift near the eastern coast of Mullaithivu. The group, which included women and children, was transported to Trincomalee by sea. Initially housed in a school from December 20 to December 23, the refugees were later moved to a high-security Air Force detention facility in Mullaithivu. The authorities denied access to activists, United Nations Human Rights Council personnel, and government officials seeking to meet the refugees.
Trincomalee MP Arun Hemachandra assured that the refugees would be treated in accordance with national and international laws. However, the government’s stance on deportation remains firm. Public Security Minister Anand Wijepala stated on January 9, 2025, that the individuals were victims of human trafficking rather than legitimate refugees, as determined by intelligence assessments.
Government’s Plan for Deportation
The Sri Lankan government has been in talks with Myanmar to facilitate the deportation of the Rohingyas. Authorities have shared refugee details with Myanmar officials to expedite the process. The government maintains that deportation is necessary to address illegal immigration and uphold national security. Minister Wijepala’s statement that the detained individuals were not refugees but trafficking victims has further fueled the debate.
Protests Against Deportation
Civil society groups and Muslim organisations have strongly opposed the government’s deportation plans. On January 10, 2025, protests led by the North East Coordination Committee, the Muslim Left Front, and other groups were held in Colombo. Muslim women activist Thanseema Dhalan spearheaded the demonstrations, demanding that the government halt deportations, release refugees from detention, and provide access for activists and aid agencies to assess their well-being. Protesters carried placards with slogans such as “Don’t Deport Humanity First,” “No to Racism, Yes to Rohingyas,” and “Sri Lanka Economically Bankrupt, Morally Bankrupt Too?”
The demonstrators submitted a memorandum to foreign affairs ministry officials, outlining recommendations, including shifting refugees to civil administration supervision and granting them freedom to travel within the country. However, the protests have not swayed the government’s position on the matter.
A tweet from Tamil Guardian highlighted that Jesumaney Yartan Figurado, coordinator for the North East Coordination Committee, was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record his statement regarding his participation in the protests.
🚨 CID summons activist following protest against deportation of Rohingya asylum seekers
Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has summoned Jesumaney Yartan Figurado, the joint co-ordinator of the North-East Coordinating Committee (NECC) over his participation in a… pic.twitter.com/bJhLvdAote
— Tamil Guardian (@TamilGuardian) January 12, 2025
Public Response
The protests have elicited strong reactions from the Sri Lankan public. Many citizens have expressed concerns about granting asylum to Rohingyas amidst the nation’s ongoing economic crisis. A significant number of Sri Lankans argue that providing refuge to Rohingyas would strain public resources and exacerbate existing challenges.
Social media has been abuzz with opinions. A Facebook user, Gunasekara Osanda Buddhika, commented, “They should be sent back immediately, and those who protest in favor of the Rohingya should also be deported.” Kajen Muthiah, a Tamil citizen, added, “These individuals (pro-Rohingya protestors) would not support them if they were aware of the true nature of the Rohingya. It is essential for them to educate themselves before offering their support”
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068984207316
Tamils living in Mullaithivu, an area predominantly inhabited by Tamil speakers, have expressed apprehension about the presence of Rohingyas. They fear it could disrupt the demographic balance and social harmony in the region. Many have called for the immediate deportation of the refugees and those opposing their removal.
Humanitarian and Historical Context
The Rohingya crisis has been a persistent issue in South Asia. Since 2008, Sri Lanka has granted asylum to over 300 Rohingya refugees, most of whom have since moved to other countries. However, the arrival of an additional 116 refugees has reignited debates on Sri Lanka’s ability to accommodate them.
Advocates for the Rohingyas emphasize the need for humanitarian support, pointing to the dire conditions in Myanmar that force refugees to flee. Proponents argue that deporting them back to Myanmar could endanger their lives, as they risk persecution in their home country. Protestors have also raised concerns about the treatment of refugees in detention facilities and demanded adherence to international norms.
Economic and Political Factors
Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has added another layer to the controversy. With limited resources and mounting public dissatisfaction, many Sri Lankans view the asylum demands as an unnecessary burden. Critics of the protests accuse leftist groups and Muslim organizations of prioritising political agendas over national interests.
In a broader context, the issue also highlights tensions between different ethnic and religious communities in Sri Lanka. Some Tamils see the demands for asylum as an encroachment on their territories, while others perceive it as a diversion from pressing domestic challenges.
