IDP arrangements satisfactory - TN Parliamentary delegation

Manjula FERNANDO

Wrapping up their four day visit in Sri Lanka to inspect Northern IDP centres, a Tamil Nadu Parliamentarian and Congress MP delegation voiced satisfaction over the arrangements the Government has made to visit the North and freely interact with IDPs to get a first hand knowledge of the situation on the ground.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at the Foreign Ministry yesterday, the Head of the 10-member team DMK Leader T.R. Baalu said "We had close interactions with IDPs and visited various centres inquiring about facilities."

However, the MPs declined to comment on their observations to the media saying that their report which will be handed over to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi would be revealed at a scheduled press briefing in Tamil Nadu last evening.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama said the visit of the TN delegation which took place on the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the benevolence of Indian PM Manmohan Singh and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister created a platform for a very cordial dialogue over several pressing issues concerning both the parties.

"This will help boost bi-lateral ties between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka," he said adding that the Government made sure all the expectations of the visiting delegates were met and the program was open and transparent.

The discussions with the Foreign Minister also touched on the fishermen issue, ferry service in Thalaimannar, prisoner exchanges, etc.

Special Presidential Adviser MP Basil Rajapaksa gave the visiting MPs an extensive briefing on the progress of the on going demining activities to facilitate the resettling of IDPs and restoration of destroyed infrastructure. The team also met President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday where he shared the view with the visiting delegation that the IDPs should be resettled soon.

The President however said there were issues that has to be dealt with before sending the people back to their homes, clearing their land of mines being one of the key concerns.

The TN MPs who arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday evening toured Jaffna on Sunday prior to their visit to the Vavuniya IDP centres. They met the estate sector communities in Nuwara Eliya with Minister Arumugam Thondaman on Monday and also met members of political parties including the TNA in Colombo. The team was to return home last evening.

The delegation also comprised Chief Minister Karunanidhi's daughter DMK MP Kanimozhi (Rajya Sabha) and MPs S Elangovan, S.Vijayan, Helen Davidson, Sudarsana Nachiappan (Rajya Sabha), V.Chittan, M.Haroon Rashid, K.S.Azhagiri and Thol Thirumavalavan.