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| Sunday, 13 January 2002 |
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National policy on rehabilitation and re-settlement by P. Krishnasamy A national policy on rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced people in the island would be in place shortly. A national survey of displaced persons living in welfare centres, transit camps and in houses of friends or relatives would also be conducted. This was announced to the "Sunday Observer" by Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees Dr.Jayalath Jayawardena. The Minister also said that he has now taken over the functions of the Commissioner General of Essential Services in order to facilitate the free movement of food and other items to the affected areas of the north and east and funds for the purpose will be directly handled by him. He added that the administration of the welfare and relief centres, especially in the uncleared areas of the Vanni, left so much to be desired and he was addressing concerns that welfare services were not starved of funds. He would personally look into the question of providing funds for welfare and relief work. The Minister also outlined his plans for the installation of a kerosene bulk supply centre at Madhu, in the uncleared area, and also extend power supply to that area. The 70 km road from Vavuniya to the uncleared areas of the Vanni along Piramanlankulam, a rural town bordering the cleared area, will be repaired to facilitate uninterrupted supply of goods and civilian movement and the necessary funds will be allocated for this purpose, the Minister said. He held discussions with local and foreign NGOs and briefed them of the projects in hand to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected people and these NOGs, which were highly taken up, responded favourably with much enthusiasm. Questionnaires have been prepared for being issued among the displaced people for collecting the relevant details, the Minister said. He is undertaking a visit to Madhu at the end of this month to consider the question of extending further relief and humanitarian assistance to the affected people and would hold youth camps and medical camps as part of his visit. The Minister expressed optimism that the government was moving in the right direction towards restoration of normal life in the strife-torn areas of the north and east and this would bring about an atmosphere favourable to peace talks between the LTTE and the government. |
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