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Research on displaced in North-East

by Florence Wickramage

An agreement to set up a Policy Planning and Projects Unit to conduct research and collect data regarding the resettlement of displaced persons in the North and the East was signed by the Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees and the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees in Colombo on Monday.

Minister Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena said the setting up of such a unit has been necessitated due to the present dearth of accurate information on displaced persons and their needs.

The research would cover the number of displaced persons, refugee status, original places of residence, preferred places of resettlement, loss of moveable and immoveable property, death or injury etc and relief expected from the Government.

Among special projects to be undertaken would be an enumeration with the assistance of the Department of Census and Statistics targeted to be completed within two months.

Minister Dr. Jayawardena said while special projects would be undertaken through the new proposed unit ongoing welfare programs would be pursued without interruption. In addition a special committee comprising local consultants, expatriate consultants of the UNHCR and representatives of allied agencies would be appointed to assist and advise on policy formulation.

The proposed Unit would coordinate with the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, Government Agencies and Ministry Departments in the implementation of the special projects, Minister Dr. Jayawardena said.

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