The closure of the UNHRC office in Sri Lanka has placed the country’s Rohingya refugees in a precarious situation, with no clear path forward. Many of these refugees, who fled Myanmar to escape violence and persecution are now trapped in Sri Lanka without the legal documentation or support needed to rebuild their lives.
The Rohingya are perhaps among the most persecuted people in the world today. Every week, countless Rohingya refugees escape Myanmar in perilous boat journeys, seeking refuge in lands that may offer them safety and acceptance. To date approximately one million Rohingya refugees have sought shelter in Bangladesh, while smaller groups have also found refuge in Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and even in Sri Lanka.
Silent protest
Sri Lanka is currently home to approximately 200 Rohingya refugees, including 116 persons, of whom 25 are children, along with pregnant women, all of whom were rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy on December 19 last year.
Some took to the streets this week to hold a silent protest in front of the United Nations Compound in Colombo, calling for help and support to overcome their current conditions.
One Rohingya group now living in Panadura had first fled Myanmar in search of safety, with some seeking refuge in Bangladesh before attempting to continue their journey by boat to countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. However, their attempts were thwarted by a breakdown in their boat’s engine, leaving them stranded at sea for weeks before being rescued by Sri Lankan fishermen and the Navy.
Once brought to Sri Lanka, the refugees were initially provided with temporary housing and some financial assistance by the UNHRC. However, this support was cut off in early 2024, and the closure of the UNHRC office in 2025 has left them without any official aid.
Charitable support
Unable to secure the necessary documents to travel to another country, the refugees have been left without options. The lack of legal residency and the inability to work in Sri Lanka has left them struggling to survive. Many of the refugees are now forced to rely on temporary day jobs and charitable support, with no clear prospects for the future.
The closure of the UNHRC office has exacerbated the refugees’ already difficult situation, as it has cut off their access to essential services and resettlement opportunities. While some have expressed hope of migrating to countries in Europe or North America, the absence of a supporting organisation in Sri Lanka makes this goal increasingly unlikely.
In light of the current situation, human rights activists are calling on the Sri Lankan Government to find long-term solutions for the Rohingya refugees. Ruki Fernando, a human rights activist, emphasized the need for both short-term and long-term solutions to the issue. “The most important thing to consider in the long term is that there are not only Rohingya Muslims in Sri Lanka, but also Pakistani nationals. As a long-term solution for all of these people, the Sri Lankan Government should pass a law that will allow them to be granted Sri Lankan citizenship and permanent residency.”
Fernando proposed that the Sri Lankan Government allow refugees to contribute to the economy: “As a short-term solution, we should provide these Rohingya refugees with the opportunity to work. That way, they can contribute to the country’s economy. Similarly, steps should be taken to protect their other rights like houses.”
Fernando also stressed the importance of ensuring that the children of refugees are taken care of: “Sri Lanka, as a country that has signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child, needs to look into the needs of those children. Their rights must be protected, including access to education and other essential services.”
The closure of the UNHRC office has left the Rohingya refugees in Sri Lanka in a state of uncertainty, with no clear solutions on the horizon. As their prospects for resettlement diminish, the refugees are left hoping for a change in policy that could provide them with the opportunity to rebuild their lives and secure a future for their families. – MB
Pic By Nissanka Wijeratne
