|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 1 May 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Security | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Relocation on advice of Army experts - GL by Manjula Fernando and Rashomi Silva Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday vehemently denied charges that the relocation of Army bases in the Subash and Ghanam hotels were carried due to LTTE pressure. The relocation was done on the advice of the Army experts following a detailed evaluation by the Army Commander, he said. "The camps will be relocated within the Jaffna municipal limits", Peiris said adding that the government was of the view that a withdrawal of the Army presence in Jaffna was premature before the evolvement of a final political solution. "There is no impediment to national security due to the relocation, as the relocation was done on the advice of the Army experts" The decision to relocate the Army camps was taken last January and the proposals were being studied by the military. "There were several suggestions but these were not considered as they were rejected by the Security Forces. The relocation was agreed upon considering the hardships the civilians are undergoing due to the location of the camps and to facilitate resettlement. The current location also occupies 45 houses and it blocks access to the Jaffna hospital and several other roads. The Minister emphasised that the resettlement was a voluntary process and it is the government's duty to create a conducive environment for the resettlement. The government's endeavour is to "facilitate the ordinary life in the region without a threat to national security". |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
