Speedy Eastern resettlement lauded

UNHCR assures President of fullest cooperation:

Rohan MATHES

SWITZERLAND: The Head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres lauded the speedy and systematic re-settlement programme of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the East, when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Geneva.

High Commissioner Guterres and President Rajapaksa held a lengthy discussion on Sri Lanka’s development programmes and re-settlement in the East, assuring President Rajapaksa the prospects of working in partnership in the future.

While the development of infrastructural facilities undertaken in the East by the Government had been evaluated, Guterres also assured his fullest support in the welfare activities of the Government’s future re-settlement programmes.

Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa outlined the Government’s commitment to protecting human rights during his meetings with the chiefs of international human rights organisations.

He told them that the Government aimed to liberate the people from the clutches of terrorism and establish peace.

He explained that the Government was willing to listen to the international community and the public in its quest to resolve the conflict.

The Government was working in a transparent manner.

Commenting on abductions and disappearances, the President pointed out that most of the ‘disappeared’ have gone into hiding or ventured abroad for personal reasons and some of them have reappeared.

The President also briefed International Law and Justice Commission Secretary General Nicholas Howen, who assured his organisation’s fullest support for probes conducted by the Government into alleged abductions and disappearances.