Supplementary estimate of Rs. 350 m for displaced

Uditha Kumarasinghe and Irangika Range

A supplementary estimate was presented to Parliament yesterday seeking approval to obtain Rs. 350 million to provide basic and other welfare facilities to the persons sheltered in relief centres until they are resettled in their places of origin.

Chief Government Whip Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardena presented the supplementary estimate to the House on behalf of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.

The proposal states that during the humanitarian mission launched to liberate Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts which were not under the control of the Government then, the people of both districts numbering 288,938 were displaced and moved to the areas controlled by the Government.

Funds allocated to the Ministry for this year are not adequate enough to meet the unforeseen expenditure already incurred and future expenses relating to provision of basic welfare facilities to the IDPs.

"It has been estimated that an additional allocation of Rs. 350 million is required for the provision of above basic and welfare facilities to the persons sheltered in relief villages until they are resettled in their original places.

The Cabinet have approved the memorandum submitted by Minister Bathiudeen on August 12 seeking the approval of the Cabinet of submit a supplementary estimate for Rs. 350 million to Parliament.