Another group of IDPs resettled

IDPs numbering 1,066 who previously lived in the Vavuniya relief villages left their centres to start normal life in their own villages.

About 630 IDPs who lived in the Kadiragamar temporary relief village and 436 IDPs who lived in Ananda Kumaraswami village include this newly resettled group.

This group comprised those from Vallipuram and Pudukudiyruppu in Mullaitivu.

"This occasion is an important moment in their lives," said Minister for Resettlement M H Gunarathna Weerakoon who participated in this occasion yesterday.

The IDPs are being resettled after ensuring that the area is clear of landmines. The government provides dry rations for six months until they are settled.

Infrastructure such as electricity and roads, and livelihood support for all these people will be provided by the government.

Families who left their camps yesterday received a special packet of dry rations prepared by the Ministry of Resettlement which cost Rs 1.2 million.

So far 254,039 IDPs have been resettled in the Northern Province under this programme and all IDPs who are living in the camps will be resettled before the end of this year, the minister assured.

President Rajapaksa instructed authorities to resettle IDPs as early as possible, the minister said.