Indian delegation happy with SL’s rebuilding effort

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The visiting Indian Joint Parliamentary delegation has expressed its satisfaction on the efforts taken by the government of Sri Lanka to rebuild the former conflict affected areas. They have also called for stronger ties between the two nations.

They said that more information should be made available to the people of Tamil Nadu to make them aware of the truth concerning the Tamil people of Sri Lanka.

The members of the delegation aired these views during a meeting with Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday morning.

During the interaction with the minister they also suggested that it was important to alleviate existing suspicion between the two communities to help in the realization of long lasting peace in Sri Lanka, the Economic Development Ministry said.

The Head of the delegation, Opposition Leader of the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj stated that they respect the integrity of Sri Lanka and wish for stronger ties between the two countries, the ministry added. According to them, several delegates during discussions had expressed satisfaction on the efforts undertaken by the government in resettling the IDPS, in addition to building infrastructure and efforts at livelihood development in conflict affected areas.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa briefing the delegates on the ongoing work in the former conflict affected areas said that the government was able to resettle 95% of the IDPs, displaced after 2005, with better facilities than those which they enjoyed before the crisis.

He had pointed out that the remaining IDPs mainly consisted of ones who fled to India and other countries during the conflict period.

All facilities required for civilian life are in operation in these areas and IDPs are provided with core houses using the tin sheets and cement provided by the Indian government, he said.

He also had described that in addition another 50,000 permanent houses are being built in the conflict affected areas with Indian financial assistance.

IDPs were also provided with cash grants, cash for work, resettlement kits and a six month dry food ration now extended for two years.

The minister said that all infrastructure facilities, such as, roads, railways, harbours and airports are being developed and agriculture, fisheries and other economic activities have been restored. The minister suggested that the delegation should visit these areas and observe the changes for themselves.