With the new Sri Lankan government just two months old, repatriation of refugees from that country staying in India will take about a year, visiting Sri Lankan minister D M Swaminathan said on Wednesday in Chennai.

This was due to various facilities, including housing, that have to be put in place for the refugees, the Minister of Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs told reporters.

"If we take them back we have to give them among others, houses and other facilities. But the present government cannot do it (now) since it is just two months old. We will carry out the responsibility for them (refugees) by a year and take them back," he said.

Answering a question on welfare of minority Tamils in the island nation, Swaminathan assured that a cordial atmosphere will be created for them to live in 'happiness.'
(With inputs from Outlook)