‘No IDPs by mid-August’
Vast development in North and East:
Yasaratne Gamage In Mannar
‘The resettlement of IDPs in the North will be accomplished 100
percent by mid-August this year. All welfare camps in the North will be
shut down, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa said.
Speaking after opening the Army reconstructed two storeyed orphanage
‘Blessed Virgin’s Children’s Home’ at Kaththankulam, Mannar on Saturday,
he said: “The resettlement in the North was to be completed by the end
of July, but heavily mined Pudukudiuruppu cost us some extra time.
“The rest of the IDPs in welfare camps will be resettled in two
weeks.
“The government has succeeded in bringing normality and stability to
the North within just three years after a 30 – year- conflict.” The
children’s home destroyed twice by the LTTE in 2005 was reconstructed
and refurbished by the Army with financial assistance from well-wishers
and social workers in Malaysia.
The Defence Secretary explained how the government and the military
took maximum effort to accommodate IDPs who fled to the then LTTE
controlled areas, even with pressure from international organisations
who gave a wrong impression of the well- organised and easy to live
welfare camps, stating the government was permanently accommodating IDPs
in camps.
“But within three years, the displaced are returning due to the
government’s timely and wise administration,” the Defence Secretary
said.
Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said vast development projects have been
initiated in the North and East including the A9, rail track,
electrification, construction and developments in the irrigation systems
and most of all a peaceful environment to live.
He gave a brief description of the government’s efforts in
resettlement and reintegration of the rehabilitated former cadres and
how the process helped them to start new lives.
“President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government genuinely wanted to
provide a long lasting solution to the problems of the people in North
and East. This has been proved on many occasions,” the Defence Secretary
said.
A large number of expatriates have returned to the motherland after
peace was established, he said.
“Sri Lanka today is a stable and secure country. All Sri Lankans
irrespective of ethnicity, religion , caste , political affiliations
should unite in harmony to bring a bright future to their children,” the
Defence Secretary said.
Mannar Bishop Rt Rev Dr Rayappu Joseph, Army Commander Lieutenant
General Jagath Jayasuriya, Security Forces Vanni Commander Major General
Sumedha Perera, Mannar Government Agent Sarath Ravindra, Malaysian
representatives , clergy and security personnel were present.
The Blessed Virgin’s Children’s Home was built at a cost of Rs 5.9
million saving Rs 1.1 million against the estimated cost for exclusive
purchase of furniture for the project.
The orphanage will house more than 50 girls (six to 20 years) from
parentless, single parented , orphaned or those who are in extremely
difficult financial conditions in the Vanni. Currently, 20 girls from
the Vanni are receiving care and education in the children’s home. The
destroyed orphanage was built with financial assistance from the
Federation of Malyasian Sri Lankan Organisation, Sri Lanka Workers’
Welfare Society, Sri Lanka Musical Extravaganza and the Global
Organisation for People of Indian origin based in Malayasia. The
reconstruction project was carried out with the 54 division , specially
the 25 Sinha regiment manpower which enabled the project to be completed
in a short time at low cost. |