The Tamil National Alliance MP, P Ariyanenthiran warned last week that it was not yet safe for Tamils who had fled and were resettled abroad to return again, including those who were deported following failed asylum claims and former LTTE cadres.

"Tamils living in foreign countries should temporarily avoid returning to Sri Lanka unless political stability is established having had the general election take place,” Mr Ariyanenthiran was quoted by the Uthayan as saying in a statement.

"At the end of the new government’s 100 day program, 15 Tamils who returned form foreign countries have been arrested at Katunayake airport."
 
“This includes those returnees, who returned having had their asylum claims rejected, following seeking political asylum in foreign countries."

“Many who have returned from a number of countries including Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Australia and France have been arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Department at the airport."

“It is necessary for former cadres, working in middle-eastern countries and for those who have left the country for political reasons to avoid returning [to Sri Lanka] at this juncture."

Mr Ariyanenthiran's statement follows the detention last week, of a Tamil man who had been working in Saudi Arabia.

“Father of one son, Ragupathy Kanagasooriyam from Kokaddichcholai, who was working in Saudi Arabia, returned to the country on holiday on 22nd. [He] was arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Department at Katunayake airport.”

“Kokkadichcholai police has informed his family that Mr Kanagasooriyam was arrested based on the information provided by state intelligence, and is being detained and interrogated. 

“His family said that Mr Kanagasooriyam, who had returned to Sri Lanka previously on holiday and gone back to Saudi Arabia without any hindrance, had been arrested for the first time."

“Can Tamils be arrested like this if there was good governance?” asked Mr Ariyanenthiran.