They had fled their war-ravaged country and landed on Malaysian shores in the hope of leading a better life. But it has been anything but a bed of roses for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees here.

However, their fate may soon change as a non-governmental organisation pushes towards securing temporary work permits for the adults and building a school for their children.

NONE Tamil Forum Malaysia plans to meet officials from the Home and Human Resources Ministries to discuss the possibility of employment opportunities for these displaced people.

Yesterday, about 300 Sri Lankan refugees vented their frustrations during a two-hour forum in Kuala Lumpur, which was attended by Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner N Siva Subramaniam.

It was Siva ( right ) who mooted the temporary work permit suggestion at a press conference after the forum.

"The government can issue temporary work permits, similar to the ones issued to refugees from Aceh.

"Now, even if these Sri Lankan refugees get a job, they have to do it illegally and run the risk of being detained," he said.

Furthermore, he added, this is the best time to approach the government on the issue due to the openness of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s administration.

Refugees question double standards

NONE Meanwhile, Tamil Forum chairperson Dr S Iyengaran ( left ) said the organisation is looking at creating a school for the children of these refugees.

"We would build it in Puchong or Sentul," he said, adding that classes could be conducted in the evenings by volunteer Malaysian teachers.

During the forum, several of the refugees also complained about harassment from the police and Rela.

One refugee, who identified himself only as Surenthiran, questioned the authorities’ double standard in dealing with Sri Lankan refugees as opposed to the Burmese.

Tamil Forum member K Arumugam expressed concern over the rising crime rate involving refugees and stressed on the importance of abiding by the laws of the country.

"We have been receiving reports of rising crime among the Sri Lankan refugee community," he added.

NONE Midway during the forum, several policemen arrived at the venue, alleging that there was no permit for the forum.

After a brief discussion with Arumugam, they allowed the forum to proceed.

There are currently 4,000 Sri Lankan refugees in Malaysia as a result of the island state’s 20 year civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that wanted an autonomous state.

The war ended recently after the Sri Lankan army succeeded in killing LTTE’s founder-leader, Velupillai Prabakaran.