IDP facilities:

Diplomats pleased

Vavuniya Central Group Corr.

A delegation of Ambassadors and other high ranking diplomats who toured the Welfare camps in Vavuniya expressed their satisfaction at the facilities provided to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by the Government.

They were highly pleased with welfare facilities at the Menik Farm Welfare camp including those set up to provide vocational training for youth and the school opened for displaced children.

The delegation comprised South Korean Ambassador Choi Ki Chul, Indonesian Ambassador Djafar Husein, Russian Ambassador Vladimir P. Mikhaylov, French Ambassador Michel Lummaux and Japanese Embassy Counsellor K. Shimasak. They were accompanied by Resettlement and Disaster Relief Minister Rishak Bathiudeen and Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona.

The delegation was received by Vavuniya Government Agent Ms. P.S.M. Charles.

Commending the facilities at the welfare camp South Korean Ambassador Choi Ki Chul said that the delegation would take steps to inform the international community of the welfare facilities provided by the Government to IDPs.

Ambassadors of Russia and France also lauded the Government for its efforts at providing better facilities for the IDPs. The Government has provided all basic facilities to over 32,000 IDPs who have fled the uncleared areas and have arrived in the areas controlled by the Government.