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Sri Lankans Asylum Application in Limbo; more than $530,000 spent to house the men

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#TurksandCaicos, May 26, 2021 – For nine months, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has been paying $59,000 a month to the Airport Inn to house and feed 21 individuals found on a Haitian sloop with 158 others in October 2019.  The group had all been released from the detention center by August 25, 2020 following court action for their release brought during the period February 2020 until late August 2020. Since that time they have been dependent on the state as they have submitted asylum applications seeking to stay in the western world. 

Prior to their housing at the Airport Inn, the same individuals were held at the South Dock Road Detention Center for ten months, after they were caught in a people trafficking ring and identified as key pieces in a criminal enterprise puzzle.

Eventually, the architect of the complex exploit for the Sri Lankans from home to the Caribbean and with hopes of onward passage to North America would be brought down; Sri Kajamukam Chelliah, aka Mohan, who is 55 years old was convicted in Turks and Caicos and is now convicted and set to serve 32 months in Florida federal prison.  He was sentenced on Monday May 17, 2021 in Florida.

Twenty Eight (28) Sri Lankans and one Indian were in the mix of Haitians which were picked up by the coastal radar.  By then the group had been travelling for over a year from their home countries in order to escape persecution and victimization, and managed to make it to Haiti.  With Mohan, they boarded a boat bound for Turks and Caicos but they were caught, arrested and detained.

The detention from October 2019 to August 2020 was for the purposes of a criminal investigation by which to build a case against the smuggler.  A case was built and Mohan pleaded guilty in a TCI court and served time at Her Majesty’s Prison.  In August 2020, Mohan was extradited to the United States for similar crimes and on May 17 was found guilty and sentenced to 34 months.

The entire time, the other Sri Lankans were trapped in Turks and Caicos.  Delays in an offered return to Sri Lanka was explained by TCIG with reference to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Attorney Tim Prudhoe of law firm Prudhoe Caribbean law firm, had originally been called in to take the case of the smuggler.  Interest, for Prudhoe however, turned to plight of the smuggled Sri Lankan detainees.  At that time, several of the men caught in the October 2019 interception were transported to the United States where in exchange for evidence against Mohan, they were likely given some break. Sixteen of the remaining Sri Lankans became clients of Prudhoe Caribbean.

The remaining men were in Turks and Caicos abandoned by the investigators and ignored by the Immigration Department.  None has been offered or given the right to work, to earn a living.  Some are farmers, others are drivers and yet more are skilled in carpentry, we are told.  

Three applied for asylum in in September 2020.  The three had previously been interviewed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who designated them refugees.  Asylum application made by these three were denied in early January of this year and which have since been appealed to His Excellency the Governor. was however.

Prudhoe Caribbean’s thirteen other Sri Lankan clients applied for asylum in mid-November.  These applications remain pending with the Minister for Immigration. Mr. Prudhoe, in an interview with Magnetic Media, confirmed that he is unaware of the recommendation of the UNHCR’s report on his second set of clients because access to those reports have been refused.

This matter has not only been to the Ministry, the Cabinet and the Governor’s Office but to the courts.  On appeal, the three first asylum applicants won on the point that the refusal to release them from the Detention Center in May 2020 was amounted to an unlawful detention.  The Appeal’s Court decision on 31 December 2020 opened the door for a successful false imprisonment claim. A damages determination on that is still pending. The country will then be forced to pay the men directly for having them held in detention.

Mr. Prudhoe confirmed that he has not been paid for his representation of the Sri Lankans. 

Meanwhile, countries sensitive to the dangerous conditions on the ground for the Tamil, on May 18, commemorated  – Tamil Genocide Day – when one hundred thousand Tamils were slaughtered in a sickening exercise of ‘ethnic cleansing’ which happened in Sri Lanka in 2009. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces was fingered for the massacre.  Today,  despite a declaration that the Civil War is over, there is still trouble for Tamil civilians; illegal land grabs, intimidation, oppression, censorship and  no demilitarization creates a climate of fear explains articles penned by Tamils outside of Sri Lanka.

The civil war is over but the persecution, they say lives on.  Tamils have found countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada to be their friends and offering safe haven. 

The Sir Lankans in Turks and Caicos would prefer to be in these countries where there are Tamil communities; but without asylum and a right to work and earn a living, they are not yet free enough to apply to these countries for passage.

In a cruel twist of fate, all of the countries, though open to immigrants, are right now closed to everyone due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Meanwhile, the sixteen Sri Lankans remain in limbo.  The Governor is yet to decide the asylum refusal appeals for the original three.  And the public purse is paying a whopping bill when citizens are struggling to pay rent and make ends meet; still reeling financially from the ravages of the pandemic.

When Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Arlington Musgrove held his national update on May 17 – he responded to Magnetic Media questions on the Sri Lankans, confirming the $59,000 monthly bill and saying the applications for asylum was unlikely to be approved. He did not say when a decision would be given.

“They had never mentioned asylum or nothing like that, so we are having a push back from their attorney.  We are right now in litigation over where do we go from here,” the Minister added, “we have a number of agencies involved in this and from the looks of it, they are in agreement where we are saying we don’t think they deserve asylum,” said the Minister to our query.

Tim Prudhoe said that his firm expect to  pursue false imprisonment claims for all sixteen clients.  The attorney-owner of Prudhoe Caribbean continues to seek the release of the UNHCR reports on the thirteen Sri Lankans.  The attorney also seeks to change the wider issue of a establishing clarity on the government policy on the right to work while awaiting response on an application for asylum. Prudhoe confirmed that his firm’s intervention has at least not resulted in Immigration Center detainees being asked if they want access to an attorney prior.

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Crown Land Unit Leads Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 21st October 2026: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area of Providenciales on October 8, 2026, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorized use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU, TCI Border Force and Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land in Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorized use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of seven (7) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to the unauthorized placement of shipping containers and derelict vehicles, as well as the construction of an incomplete concrete structure on Crown land. Where occupants or other responsible persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items.

The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that instances of unauthorized occupation are identified and appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that occupying, developing or otherwise using Crown land without lawful authority is an offence under the Crown Land Ordinance. These inspections and enforcement activities form part of a sustained program aimed at safeguarding public lands, discouraging unlawful development and ensuring that Crown land is managed in the best interests of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Crown Land Unit will continue to work closely with the ISU and other partner agencies to identify and address instances of illegal occupation across the Islands. Persons occupying Crown land without authorization are encouraged to comply with all notices issued and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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