Resettlement ends by December 31 - Basil Rajapaksa

The resettlement of people displaced by terrorist activities, will be completed by December 31, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told John McCarthy, Special Envoy of Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia when he paid a courtesy call on him at the ministry.

At this discussion, the minister gave a comprehensive briefing on the government's economic development programmes and the Northern and the Eastern Reawakening programmes initiated by the government.

Minister Rajapaksa elaborated on the infrastructure development that has commenced, including the reconstruction of the road network, schools, hospitals, the Uthuru Mithuru railway line, Kankesanthurai harbour, airport runway being completed, commencement of work on the A-9 Expressway work, providing drinking water facilities etc.

The minister said that basic infrastructure is being provided by the government for the resettlement of internally displaced, while housing is being facilitated by owner - driven programmes with the assistance of the NGO sector.

He also pointed that refugees in Tamil Nadu have commenced arriving in Sri Lanka, particularly after the commencement of the ferry services. Minister Rajapaksa also highlighted that apart from resettlement and reconstruction, the government has taken measures to initiate a political reconciliation process in fulfilling the political empowerment of the people in the North and the East.

Firstly in establishing democratic governance, the minister emphasized on the holding of Local Government elections. Apart from this process, he also spoke of the other social network programmes that have been launched in strengthening interaction amongst the farmer community and other interactive programmes. The minister also thanked the Australian envoy for the ODA assistance given to Sri Lanka, particularly through the AUSaid programme.

It was noted that Australia's contribution towards infrastructure development, in particularly the Northern and Eastern Provinces, were appreciated.

The special envoy indicated that Sri Lanka had made substantial progress on resettlement and infrastructure development and it was timely that Sri Lanka made concrete moves to project it to the international community. He said these achievements have not been highlighted adequately in the international fora.

Australian High Commissioner in Colombo Kathy Klugman was also associated at this meeting.