Mullaitivu GA disproves UNP claim

Irangika RANGE

The District Secretary in Mullaitivu has confirmed that there are only 113,832 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Vanni disproving the 400,000 figure given by the UNP, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardane said.

Addressing a press-conference, the Minister said the allegation by the UNP is false and baseless, with the report released by the District Secretary in Mullaitivu.

He said the Government is providing assistance and accommodation to cater to the basic needs of IDPs coming from Vanni to Vavuniya.

“We have also decided to open the Oddusudan North entry-exit checkpoint for four hours to send food to people in Vanni,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, nearly 8000mts of food have been stored in Vavuniya while the Government has sent 270 mts of additional foods there.

He said 240 IDPs arrived in Vavuniya from Vanni. These IDPS who have been forcibly detained by the LTTE were very keen on arriving in Vavuniya as they have spent miserable lives in Vanni.

“Around 2913 IDPs from 1180 families have already arrived in Vavuniya,”he said. “Civilians who are stuck in LTTE held areas in the Vanni should attempt to come to Government controlled areas by breaking LTTE barriers, otherwise we would consider them as LTTE supporters,” he said.

“We also urged the NGOs and INGOs to force the LTTE to release innocent civilians who are stuck in the Vanni,” he said.

Attempts taken by these foreign agencies to provide relief assistance to IDPs coming to Vanni is appreciated,” he noted. “But they should raise their voice against the brutal activities of the LTTE,” he noted.