Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting a resolution to the long-pending citizenship and legal status issues of approximately 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils residing in the state. The letter, sent on Sunday, comes just two months before Tamil Nadu’s Assembly elections scheduled for 2026.
In his communication, Stalin described the matter as one of “profound humanitarian, constitutional and national importance.” He emphasized that these individuals have been living in Tamil Nadu for over four decades, with nearly 40 percent of them born in India and many having resided in the country for more than 30 years.
The Sri Lankan Tamils currently live both inside designated refugee camps and in communities outside these facilities across Tamil Nadu. Their presence in India dates back to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka that began intensifying in the early 1980s.
Historical Context
Since 1983, successive Tamil Nadu state governments have provided shelter, education, and healthcare to Sri Lankan Tamils who fled ethnic violence in their home country. These arrangements were made with the concurrence of the Union Government at the time.
The Chief Minister noted in his letter that despite this prolonged stay and the support provided by the state, many Sri Lankan Tamils continue to lack access to Indian citizenship or long-term visa status. This situation has left them in a legal limbo, unable to fully integrate into Indian society despite their decades-long presence.
The lack of legal status affects various aspects of their lives, including access to certain government services, employment opportunities, and freedom of movement. Educational and healthcare provisions, while available, do not fully address the uncertainty created by their ambiguous legal position.
Specific Recommendations
Stalin’s letter referenced recommendations made by a State Advisory Committee and outlined several specific measures he urged the Centre to implement. These include rescinding earlier administrative instructions that prevent consideration of citizenship applications from Sri Lankan Tamils.
The Chief Minister also requested that the central government waive passport and visa requirements where appropriate, recognizing the practical difficulties faced by long-term residents. He suggested delegating powers to district-level authorities to enable faster processing of applications, reducing bureaucratic delays.
Additionally, Stalin urged formal clarification that registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who were sheltered in India up to January 9, 2015, should not be classified or treated as “illegal migrants.” This clarification would provide legal protection and remove the stigma associated with their current ambiguous status.
Hon’ble @PMOIndia Thiru. @NarendraModi, please provide a humane legal solution for Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu for decades by enabling citizenship pathways, granting long term visa relief, and removing administrative barriers that keep them in legal uncertainty.… pic.twitter.com/9L83qONtlG
— M.K.Stalin – தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) February 15, 2026
Limited Progress So Far
Despite the large number of Sri Lankan Tamils residing in Tamil Nadu, progress in granting them Indian citizenship has been minimal. According to the information provided, only 11 Sri Lankan refugees have been granted Indian citizenship to date.
Of these 11 individuals, just one has successfully secured voting rights. The remaining ten have applied for inclusion in electoral rolls but are still awaiting approval. These numbers highlight the extremely limited success rate in regularizing the status of this population despite their prolonged residence in India.
This slow pace of citizenship grants stands in stark contrast to the decades these individuals have spent in India and the integration many have achieved into local communities, particularly those born and raised in the country.
Political Context
The timing of Stalin’s letter is significant, coming just two months before Tamil Nadu goes to polls. The ruling DMK has been emphasizing Tamil language, identity, and heritage as central campaign themes, positioning itself against the BJP-led central government.
By highlighting the citizenship issue of Sri Lankan Tamils, the DMK appears to be consolidating support among pro-Tamil voters and those sympathetic to the cause of Lankan refugees. The issue resonates with sentiments around Tamil identity and solidarity that have historically been important in Tamil Nadu politics.
The move also applies pressure on the BJP at the Centre and its state ally, the AIADMK, over what the DMK characterizes as inadequate action on this decades-old humanitarian issue.
Parliamentary Discussions
The Sri Lankan Tamil refugee issue has also featured in recent parliamentary discussions. During debates on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that the DMK had never raised the refugees’ issue with him.
This assertion was contested by DMK Member of Parliament Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, who cited specific instances and provided details of letters sent by the Tamil Nadu government to the Centre regarding this matter. This exchange highlighted the political dimension of the issue and the differing narratives between the state and central governments.
Humanitarian Appeal
In his letter to the Prime Minister, Stalin emphasized the humanitarian aspects of the situation. He noted that those who sought refuge in India have lived “with dignity, discipline and deep cultural affinity” for over four decades.
The Chief Minister appealed to the Prime Minister to make a favorable decision on humanitarian grounds, arguing that these long-term residents deserve legal recognition and the security that comes with formal citizenship or permanent resident status.
Looking Ahead
The resolution of this issue involves complex considerations including bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, India’s citizenship laws, and domestic political calculations. The central government’s response to Stalin’s letter will be closely watched, particularly given the proximity of Tamil Nadu’s assembly elections.
For the 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils living in Tamil Nadu, the outcome could determine whether their decades-long wait for legal recognition and citizenship will finally come to an end or continue indefinitely. Their situation represents one of India’s longest-running refugee issues, with implications for humanitarian policy and regional politics.
