Government has done best to IDPs - Akashi

The Sri Lankan government has done its best to provide facilities to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). With the establishment of the fifth camp, the congestion had been reduced to a great degree, said Japanese envoy for Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi.

He said so at the meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on June 30 at Janadhipathi Mandiraya.

President Rajapaksa briefed Akashi, referring to the IDPs accommodated in Vavuniya, he stated that the government has taken action to improve the conditions of the welfare villages.

The President noted that the resettlement of over 287000 people will be a considerable challenge while clearing land mines and attending to the infrastructure facilities.

The government has taken measures to attend to the daily needs of the people while the development activities going ahead simultaneously. Arrangements have been made for children to attend school without idling in the camps, he added.

The President further stated that he wished to provide an opportunity to the LTTE carders who are among the IDPs to be rehabilitated and integrated into the society.

With regard to the political process, president said that he has a road map. Reiterating the need for a home grown solution he restated his commitment to the implementation of the 13th amendment.

While admiring the government program on IDPs, Akashi said that the Japanese government has begun to fund the de-mining activities in Sri Lanka.