Resettlement has reached final stages:

Host of programmes underway in N-E

Certain local and foreign powers are attempting to underestimate the government's successful programmes launched for the benefit of the Northern and Eastern provinces for the past two years, after ending the 30 year war against LTTE, the Government Information Department said in a release yesterday.

Certain foreign powers cannot endure the fact that a country like Sri Lanka without any modern military equipment, was successful in completely eliminating the world's cruelest terrorist organisation, the release added.

It said: "The resettlement of 275,000 displaced civil population in their previous habitat has reached its final stage due to the government's humanitarian operation launched for the benefit of the people of Northern and Eastern Provinces while certain Western Countries including partners to the peace talks were of belief that it was impossible for the government to end the terrorism.

"The Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim people were displaced due to LTTE terrorism. Over 5,000 private institutes fell inactive inconveniencing the people of the North who were unable to obtain essentials with the disruption of the transport facilities on the A9 main road, as the LTTE launched an attack on the Muhamale area in 2006.

"However, it was the government's intervention which made it possible for the people of the North to obtain their essential food items thereafter, although it has been forgotten by those who are always criticizing the government's policies. The World Food Programme and the United Nations Organization with many of its institutions extended its fullest cooperation to implement the programmes aimed at ensuring the living of those people.

"Facilities with the capacity to store 5,000 metric tons were established in Vavuniya with the cooperation of the World Food Programme and the United Nations Organization.

"Certain powers and foreign institutions accusing the Government of violating human rights maintain silence about the resettlement of about 375,000 displaced persons in their own villages. These powers who appealed to postpone the resettlement process in the East, level various allegations against the government without any possibility to disrupt the Government's humanitarian operation.

"There are sections included in the 1972 Constitution regarding the protection of human rights. But as President Mahinda Rajapaksa said at the second anniversary commemoration of war victory, human rights could be protected only after stopping the robbing of the right to live.

"Two years have passed since the North and East were saved from the terrorists clutches. The provision of homes, foods and improving the nutrition and health condition of people, water and sanitation facilities, directing child soldiers to their educational activities, provision, of vocational training and employment, resuscitating the religions and cultural places and providing the displaced persons with their essential services are being provided with government intervention.

"Operations are also being continued by the Presidential Task Force appointed for resettlement in the North, development and for protection.

"The Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently reported that the growth rate of the Gross Domestic product in the Northern Province has risen to 14 percent as a result of humanitarian and living conditions development for the Northern population undertaken with the assistance of non-governmental organisation in addition to foreign countries at local institutions under the sponsorship of the Presidential Task Force.

"The Uthuru Vasanthaya programme initiated for the development of the North with the ending of the war has enabled the government to invest Rs 295 billion, out of which 60 percent of the money will be allocated for infrastructure development aimed at promoting the income levels of the people.

"The government recalls with gratitude the cooperation and assistance extended by International non-governmental organizations in addition to the UN institutions and the World Food Programme to ensure the continuation of programmes aimed at the promotion of living conditions of the people of the North and East."