Statelessness is a phenomenon that has deprived numerous individuals of their dignity, rights and sustainable development. In Sri Lanka, a large population of Tamils residing in the Hill Country was deprived of their citizenship in 1948. Between the 1960s and early 2000s members of the Hill Country Tamil community had their citizenship restored. The study aims to contribute towards a deeper understanding of the developmental challenges faced by the community, and the importance of ensuring that the granting of citizenship is effective, and meaningful.

Despite positive law reform, this community still remains one of the most marginalized communities in Sri Lanka. This report argues that the persistent marginalization experienced by this community stems from long-standing structural discrimination, of which deprivation of nationality was a central feature.

The study examines this structural discrimination using the lens of statelessness. The study aims to contribute towards a deeper understanding of the developmental challenges faced by the community, and the importance of ensuring that the granting of citizenship is effective, and meaningful.