'There is constant expectation that a sizeable section (in the camps) will prefer to come to India,' said Chandrahasan.

'But this will depend on the political situation and the accommodation of people who were in LTTE areas,' he said. 'If all goes well, people will not come. There are constant enquiries.'

As of June 1, there were 73,475 Sri Lankan Tamils in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu, a sprawling state separated from Sri Lanka by the narrow Palk Strait.

Many Sri Lankan Tamils also live in Tamil Nadu outside the refugee camps.

Chandrahasan explained that the main factor still driving Tamils to India was fear.

'If you talk to them, it is clear why they are so traumatised. Their minds are not at rest. They are reacting to what they saw and what they went through.

'The healing is not taking place (in Sri Lanka). The healing has to happen. If that happens, then it will be fine.'

Are LTTE members also escaping to India?

'No high profile (LTTE) person can come through,' he said. '(Some of the people) may have had some links. Important LTTE people cannot come through.'

(M.R. Narayan Swamy can be contacted at narayan.swamy@ians.in)