The Embassy and Permanent Mission of the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 
06th October 2009
Statement
by Hon. Mahinda
Samarasinghe MP,
Minister
of Disaster Management and Human Rights of
at the
28 September 2009
Mr Chairman,
It is a pleasure and a
privilege for
me to address this Plenary Session of the 60th session of
the UNHCR
Executive Committee Given the close and excellent levels of cooperation
between
UNHCR and Sri Lanka, especially in the context of the assistance being
provided
to internally displaced persons (IDPs) at present, we wish to reiterate
our
intense and abiding interest in the activities of the UNHCR. I must
also, in
particular, acknowledge the constant interest in
The aims and objectives
of the
Government of Sri Lanka with regard to Sri Lankan IDPs can be
encapsulated in
the following terms as expressed by
Mr Chairman,
The Representative of the
UN
Secretary-General on the Human Rights of IDPs, Professor Walter
Kälin was in
Mr Chairman,
With the defeat of
terrorism, the
Government of His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapakse is doing its
utmost to
reconstruct the foundations of a peaceful, democratic social order
throughout
the territory of the Sri Lankan nation.
Reconciliation and development form an integral part of this
exercise.
Key to the success of the overall initiative is the treatment and
eventual
resettlement and return of IDPs who are among the worst affected by the
conflict. As the Minister in charge of Disaster Management, I view the
return
to normal life of these persons as critical in terms of prevention and
mitigation of potential future conflict. Terrorism and civil strife are
among
the worst man-made disasters. This is why we place such great emphasis
on a
comprehensive plan to redevelop infrastructure in war affected areas
and ensure
that these areas are safe and secure prior to resettling persons. We
are aware
that there are trained and formerly active members of the Liberation
Tigers of
Tamil Eelam among the IDPs. Those who have identified themselves and
have given
themselves up are being housed in special rehabilitation centres and a
separate
office was created – that of the Commissioner-General for
Rehabilitation – to
cater to their rehabilitation. My Ministry has taken the initiative to
put
together an all encompassing policy framework which will take a broad
view of
social and economic reintegration of ex-combatants. Action plans are
being
developed by national stakeholders and will be formally adopted later
this week
to actualize this policy framework. We have worked closely with ILO and
UNDP in
this initiative. These ex-combatants too will have the opportunity to
become
full and productive partners in building the new
Mr Chairman,
As I mentioned there are
still some
persons among the IDPs who have not disclosed their former affiliation
with the
LTTE. These persons pose a risk not only to the IDPs with whom they are
intermingled but, if released, can cause destabilization and chaos
amongst
civilians elsewhere in the country. It is for this reason that we have
been
very careful about releases and permitting full freedom of movement.
The Government
of Sri Lanka has a responsibility to guarantee the human rights of the
entirety
of the Sri Lankan population – not only the rights of the IDPs.
Allowing LTTE
cadres, masquerading as ordinary displaced civilians, freedom of
movement could
pose a grave threat to people in the rest of the country. The global
community
knows only too well the atrocities committed by the LTTE against
civilian
populations. Given the sizeable stores of arms, ammunition and
explosives being
recovered on a daily basis in the former theatre of conflict and
outside that
area, the ability of the remnants of the LTTE to carry out
indiscriminate acts
of terrorism must not be underestimated.
This does not mean that attempts to characterize the welfare
centres and
relief villages as “internment camps” are in any way
justified. Limited freedom
of movement has been permitted and with the completion of screening,
registration and profiling of IDPs, greater freedom of movement would
be
gradually ensured.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, Mr
Chairman, we have released certain categories of persons and plans are
under
way to invite more persons among the general public to come forward and
take
care of IDPs. Indeed, advertisements have been placed in national
newspapers,
especially Tamil Language newspapers, inviting suitable persons to
apply to
host IDPs. The first round resulted in approximately 2,000 applications
which
are being processed and more notifications, including within the
welfare
centres and relief villages, will follow.
More than 23,000 persons
have been
released for return and resettlement in
Mr Chairman,
The return and
resettlement
programme can only be completed when demining can be completed and we
expect to
be able to report on major advances in this area during the coming
weeks. The
acquisition of 10 new flailing machines, using Government funds will
enable us
to clear much more ground and obtain necessary certification from the
United
Nations agencies concerned. According to the initial survey carried out
by the
Information Management System on Mine Action, it is estimated that
approximately 1.5 million landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
contaminate
an area of 402 sq km. Since the beginning of January 2009, de-mining of
25
small administrative divisions has been completed. According to the
National
Steering Committee on Mine Action, de-mining in 15 divisions in Musali,
Manthai
West and the Rice bowl area of Mannar covering 80 sqkm have commenced
and clearance
is on-going. De-mining of the Rice bowl area is expected to be complete
by
Mid-October to enable further resettlement. In the District Vavuniya,
35
divisions have already been cleared and are ready for the resettlement
of IDPs.
De-mining activities in another 10 divisions is ongoing.
In
Apart from de-mining,
resettlement
can only be sustainable if livelihoods and other early recovery
measures are
put in place. The smooth transition from
early recovery to medium and longer-term economic development is also
being
planned for. This long term development strategy is being developed and
implemented under a programme known as the “Northern
Spring” which will usher
in a period of renewal for the people of the North.
Mr Chairman,
Let
me briefly
outline the conditions in the welfare centres and relief villages
– especially
in light of the recent measures we have taken to improve services and
to
minimize the potential hazard of inundation due to the impending rainy
season.
The Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka, which functions under the
purview
of my Ministry, has led coordination efforts to construct and de-silt
stormwater and other surface drains. Many international and national
stakeholders have been coopted into this effort. As at 21 September,
the
drainage work is nearing completion in most of the zones. Evaluation of
the
machinery and manpower needed for maintenance of the drainage system
during the
next three months and the conduct of awareness raising among IDPs on
drainage
and safety is our next priority. In Zone 00 – De-silting of side
drains and
surface drains within blocks are being completed. Regional authorities
are
being tasked with maintenance of drainage systems. Zone 01 shows a
completion
rate of 95% with de-silting of side drains and drainage maintenance to
be done
by regional authorities. Drainage in Zone 02 is 100% completed and
Zones 03, 04
and 05 show progress of 80%, 75% and 80%, respectively. The drainage
plan is
finalized in respect of Zone 06A and 06B and work has just started.
Work has just
commenced in Zone 07 and 08 and also in Weerapuram. The areas known as
Dharmapuram and Sumathipuram shows approximately 50% work done. Plans
are being
discussed to recruit IDPs to assist in the construction of surface
drains. UNDP
and UNOCHA in particular have supported our efforts in this regard.
Health is another
key focus area. This priority sector has been serviced by a special
unit – the
Disaster Preparedness and Response Division (DPRD) of the Ministry of
Health
since March 2009. At present, a total of 81 doctors are working in
camps in
Vavuniya and 18 doctors are working in the Cheddikulam hospital close
to the
main relief village site known as Menik Farm. The Sri Lankan Ministry
of
Healthcare and Nutrition has ensured that, permanent appointments have
been
made for approximately 100 doctors to serve in camps and 28 doctors to
serve at
the Cheddikulam hospital. A health camp which included psychosocial
services
was facilitated by the Sri Lanka Air Force in Zones 02 and 03. A new
psychosocial Centre has been opened in Zone 04. Mobile clinic
facilities are
operational in the newly opened Zone 06. 07 health facilities in
Kilinochchi,
03 in Mannar and 02 in Vavuniya are to be completed by mid-October
2009. 10
days ago, the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition in partnership with
UNFPA
and the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka opened several family health
clinics in Menik Farm that will provide antenatal and postnatal exams,
voluntary family planning, emergency deliveries by skilled birth
attendants and
psychosocial counselling, among other services. The family health
clinics will
play a critical role in safeguarding the health of pregnant women in
the camps.
The Ministry reports that mortality rates have been gradually brought
down.
Mortality rates at the welfare villages at present are estimated at an
average
of two to three per cent which is compatible with mortality rates in
any other
part of the country and infectious diseases including diarrhoea,
dysentery,
chickenpox, measles, typhoid and hepatitis B which had increased during
the
rains experienced some weeks after the mass IDP influx have been
brought under
control with the prompt healthcare, water and sanitation facilities
provided by
the Ministry in cooperation with national and international partners.
Education is
another priority for Sri Lankans, Mr Chairman, whether they are
displaced or
not. In recognition of the importance placed on education, the national
Examinations Department established 10 special examination centres in
Vavuniya
for 1,236 displaced candidates to enable them to sit the G.C.E Advanced
Level
examination which enables them to qualify for entry to University. It
is
significant that 166 ex-child combatants also sat for the examination
held last
month. Temporary learning spaces have been demarcated in the IDP sites
and
educational services are being provided with the complementary
assistance of
UNICEF and others.
UNHCR has been
providing excellent support to the Government of Sri Lanka as head of
the
shelter and protection clusters and as a partner of key Government
focal points
including my Ministry. We have sought to establish a closer dialogue on
protection issues and the provision of information to IDPs on the
services
available to them. My Ministry has worked with UNHCR to develop a
structured
programme of
All our efforts
will be put at risk, Mr Chairman, if we do not look to a process of
national
healing and reconciliation and political accommodation of all Sri
Lankans
within a unified democratic framework. A multi-party Committee on
Development
and Reconciliation has been convened by President Rajapakse to address
these
issues. The forum reflects the
Government’s commitment to a pluralistic and inclusive approach
in addressing
post-conflict challenges. With the gradual restoration of democracy and
the
resuscitation of institutions of representative democracy as we have
seen in
the East and now in the North, our deliberations will set in motion a
home-grown process aimed at ensuring long term stability.
Internal
conflict, such as that experienced by
