Indian foreign secretary S Jaishankar said discussions were ongoing for the return of 1,00,000 refugees from the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which is separated from Sri Lanka by a narrow stretch of sea.

"We had agreed when Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister was here (India) in January to find ways by which these refugees could go back with honour, dignity (and) safety," Jaishankar told reporters.

"We've already had one meeting on the bilateral side on January 30 to discuss the issue."

The comments come as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to visit Sri Lanka this week to strengthen ties with its new President Maithripala Sirisena.