IDP resettlement in East successful

Irangika RANGE

The Government has achieved 95 percent progress in the resettlement process in the Eastern Province by developing economic, social and infrastructure facilities which are required to restore the livelihood of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons).

Resettlement and Disaster Reliefs Services Minister Rishard Bathiudeen said progress achieved by the Government is shown by the 89 per cent and 88 per cent of resettlement in Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts respectively.

“Basically the process of resettlement is to resettle IDPs either at their native places or other alternative places with their consent,” he said.

However, it has become difficult to implement the resettlement process as an accelerated program until land mines are removed from the security zones and other places.

”One of the main tasks performed by the Ministry is ensuring protection of IDPs as an accelerated and special project.

“Today the entire province has been cleared of land mines while peace and order has been restored,” the Minister said. In the resettlement process, identity cards have been issued to IDPs by registering them. Transport facilities were also provided to travel to their native places.

Action has been taken to clean and reconstruct common places including wells and essential services such as hospitals, schools and highways.

Water tanks have also been provided to solve the drinking water problem and attention was drawn to ensure personal hygiene by organizing healthcare centers.

The Government is dedicated to provide security, urgent relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction to the people under the resettlement program.

A total of 129,804 people out of 145,416 of IDPs in Batticaloa district have been resettled at their native places from 2006 to 2008. Around 17,316 people belonged to the Trincomalee District.

This is 89 per cent of the total displaced persons from the Baticaloa district.

Meanwhile, 69,705 persons out of 79,618 IDPs in Trincomalee District have also been resettled at their native places. This is 88 per cent of the total figure relating to Trincomalee District.