Pursuant to the signing of the bilateral Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners between India and Sri Lanka in June 2010, 31 sentenced prisoners under detention in Sri Lanka were found eligible for transfer to India.  As stipulated in the Agreement, to facilitate the social rehabilitation of sentenced prisoners into their own country, cases of these prisoners were duly processed by the Government of Sri Lanka and forwarded to the Government of India for completion of required formalities on the Indian side.   

On completion of all formalities, these prisoners have been transferred back to India in two batches.  The first batch of 20 prisoners (6 from Kerala and 14 from Tamil Nadu) were  earlier transferred in February-March, 2013, whereas the process of transfer of  the second batch of 9 prisoners to Tamil Nadu was completed between 12 to 15 August, 2013.  This brings the total number of prisoners transferred under this Agreement from Sri Lanka to India, to 29.

The High Commissioner acknowledged the assistance rendered by all concerned departments of the Government of Sri Lanka  and expressed hope for continued cooperation in this area.