Page 49 - KDU Law Journal Volume 4 Issue 2

KDU Law Journal Volume 04 Issue II
September, 2024
Discrimination and Social Stigma
Sri Lankan refugees experience a lot of discrimination as well
as prejudice and stigma which mostly spring from the prevailing
misconceptions and cultural prejudices and also fuelled by the fear of
foreign interference. Discriminatory practice shows in many ways.
These include the limitation of access to the housing, employment
and social services, while the occurrence of verbal harassment and
abuse turns to be an all-too-common phenomenon. These forms of
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discrimination only worsen this situation by intensifying the, and, of
refugees in the host community on the larger scale.
Legal Barriers and Administrative Challenges
The highest cases of obstacles to the refugees ‘ protection and rights
in Sri Lanka are due to legal hindrances and administrative issues.
The lack of a particular refugee law makes refugees defenseless
against the “arbitrary deportation and detention” as well as “refusal of
initial rights.” Administrative disputes in the asylum process, along
with the existence of long delays for refugee status determination
processes and their barriers in access to legal assistance, are among
the obstacles that intensify the vulnerabilities of the refugees and
thwart their chances of perseverance. 14
Opportunities for Improvement
Even though there are problems related to refugees in Sri Lanka,
there is a wonderful potential to strengthen the refugee protection
system in the country and deliver the benefits to those who need
it most. Amending laws, such as specifically setting up refugee
legislation, and improving institutions will be the steps that the
country is taking to meet the obligations of the country. Notably,
establishing conversations and also with the UNHCR and other
international organizations will lead to the development of stronger

13 Helene Lambert at el), The Global Reach of European Refugee Law (Cambridge Univer-
sity Press 2013) 54 - 58
14 Katy Long, ‘When Refugees Stopped Being Migrants: Movement, Labour and
Humanitarian Protection’ (1(1) Migration Studies 2013) 4-26.
law.faculty@kdu.ac.lk
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