<p>Jennifer Pagonis, deputy permanent representative of the UN High Commission for Refugees in Sri Lanka, told Xinhua that 37 people from 15 families returned to Colombo on a commercial ferry.</p>.<p>The refugees left Tuticorin in India's Tamil Nadu state, which is separated from northern Sri Lanka by a strip of sea.</p>.<p>"They are all from the north and east of Sri Lanka. They are being processed by immigration officials and will be sent home," said Pagonis.</p>.<p>The group's arrival is the first repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees in India by sea, the UN agency said.<br />According to the Indian government, 69,000 Sri Lankan refugees still live in 112 camps in Tamil Nadu.</p>.<p>In May 2009, the long conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the Tamil Tigers ended. <br />In the final phase of the war, about 276,000 people were displaced, with the many fleeing to India, UNHCR said.</p>.<p>Since then, many Sri Lankans have returned to their homes, but there are still a significant number awaiting repatriation. According to the UNHCR, over 1,400 refugees have returned this year, compared to 2,054 last year.</p>
<p>Jennifer Pagonis, deputy permanent representative of the UN High Commission for Refugees in Sri Lanka, told Xinhua that 37 people from 15 families returned to Colombo on a commercial ferry.</p>.<p>The refugees left Tuticorin in India's Tamil Nadu state, which is separated from northern Sri Lanka by a strip of sea.</p>.<p>"They are all from the north and east of Sri Lanka. They are being processed by immigration officials and will be sent home," said Pagonis.</p>.<p>The group's arrival is the first repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees in India by sea, the UN agency said.<br />According to the Indian government, 69,000 Sri Lankan refugees still live in 112 camps in Tamil Nadu.</p>.<p>In May 2009, the long conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the Tamil Tigers ended. <br />In the final phase of the war, about 276,000 people were displaced, with the many fleeing to India, UNHCR said.</p>.<p>Since then, many Sri Lankans have returned to their homes, but there are still a significant number awaiting repatriation. According to the UNHCR, over 1,400 refugees have returned this year, compared to 2,054 last year.</p>