Resettlement soon after de-mining

Uditha KUMARASIGHE and Irangika RANGE

Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasighe told Parliament yesterday that the Government will take swift action to resettle the people in welfare centers once the de-mining is complete in those areas.
 

Responding to an adjournment motion moved by JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Minister said the conditions at welfare camps have reached a satisfactory level. The Government is totally committed to provide maximum facilities to Internally Displaced People( IDPs) who had been held hostage by the LTTE terrorists.

The Government cannot allow to just settle in their original places.

"We need some time to raise the required logistic facilities enabling them to enjoy a decent living," he said.

"We have given priority to keep them in safety. Now they have aspirations and expectations for a better tomorrow," he said. "Their protection and ensuring their human rights are paramount while fulfilling other basic needs," he said.

However, the Government took measures to release 9,000 of children, pregnant women and elderly people after conducting special investigations.

The Competent Authority which has been appointed to look after the needs of IDPs has taken steps to settle these people in four villages ensuring minimal congestion.

A proper drainage system has also been constructed to overcome the difficulties during rainy days.