22. March 2010


 

NEWS

 

Northern IDP resettlement expedited

 

The Government has resettled a total number of 182,946 Internal Displaced Person’s temporarily housed in welfare centers in North as of March 10, 2010 and the resettlement of civilians in Mullaitivu and Killinochchi which were earlier strongholds of the LTTE has also commenced. It is further noted that there are 64,849 IDPs remaining in welfare centers in Vavuniya and Jaffna and 28,974 are on free movement. Steps are being taken to immediately resettle IDPs when the demining process is completed in these areas. The Government is continuously assisting the resettled civilians with basic needs such as healthcare, water and sanitation facilities as well as education and livelihood support to those resettled. Banks, postal and other services are also functioning in those areas.

 

The Government is paying a great deal of attention to resettle all displaced persons and create a conductive environment where they could live without fear or intimidation. The three decade long brutal barbaric terrorism in the country destroyed the livelihoods of many people; it completely stopped the transportation of goods and people from the North to the south and south to the north.

 

The Government has taken prompt action to open the A9 road with the aim of increasing the opportunity of people to enjoy the freedom after the success of the Humanitarian Mission. The railroad severely damaged by the LTTE would be reconstructed in several stages. Accordingly the railway track from Vavuniya to Thandikulam has already been renovated and the train travels from Colombo to Thandikulam at present. This would no doubt provide an environment where all citizens would be able to travel up and down as it was 30 years ago.

 

Source:  www.news.lk