India assures IDPs:

Continued assistance

Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao who began her visit to Sri Lanka on August 31 gave an assurance that Indian assitance would continue, when she met the IDPs. Rao visited Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna. She was accompanied by Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha, Northern Province Governor Major General (Rtd) G A Chandrasiri and senior officials of the Sri Lankan and Indian Governments.

In Vavuniya, the Foreign Secretary received a briefing on the resettlement situation from Vanni Security Forces Commander Major General Kamal Gunaratne. She then visited Menik Farm, where she met IDPs and their families who still await resettlement. She also visited their homes and witnessed their conditions of stay.

At a public meeting at the Urban Council Hall in Vavuniya, Rao met another group of IDPs. She assured the IDPs, the Indian Government's continued commitment to assist them in the task of rebuilding their lives

India's announcement to build 50,000 houses was widely welcomed. Foreign Secretary Rao also visited the site of the Cultural Centre that will be constructed with Indian assistance. She also distributed Indian assistance to a group of recently resettled IDPs.

The Foreign Secretary visited Mullaitivu and Trincomalee yesterday.