In a landmark announcement, Indian Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan has extended Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Card eligibility to include 5th and 6th generation Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) in Sri Lanka, expanding the current condition, which applied only up to the 4th generation.
Speaking at a community reception attended by around 1,000 members of the Indian diaspora in Colombo, the Vice President also announced simplification of the OCI process.
Certificates issued by the Government of Sri Lanka will now be recognized as proof of nativity, allowing OCI Cards to be issued on the basis of these documents, including Certificates of Registration, India–Sri Lanka passports, or records maintained at the High Commission of India in Colombo and the Assistant High Commission in Kandy.
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said in a statement that the decision fulfils a long‑standing request of the diaspora, particularly benefiting estate workers and their families.
The announcement was made during Vice President Radhakrishnan’s two‑day visit from April 19–20, which marked the first-ever bilateral visit of an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka.
He was accompanied by Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni. (Newswire)