Most IDPs in Batticaloa resettled

by Ananth Palakidnar

The Majority of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Batticaloa district have been re-settled in most of the areas which were cleared from the LTTE presence early this year, according to the Government Agent of Batticaloa, Suntharam Arumainayagam.

He told the Sunday Observer that it was on the directive of Governor Eastern Province Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewikrema that the resettlement process was now in progress and all IDPs from the district of Batticaloa were expected to be resettled in their own places before the end of next week.

"The resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons in the district of Batticaloa began in mid May and the process is continuing in a successful manner.

The cleared areas of Batticaloa were overflowing with the Internally Displaced Persons following military operations to take control of the uncleared areas in the early part of this year. However, the process was expedited. Around 75 percent of the IDPs from the Batticaloa district have been resettled in the past few weeks,"Arumainayagam said.

He also said that cooked meals and rations were provided for the IDPs who were being resettled in their own places. Electricity, water supply and transportation facilities were also provided to those who were now returning to their own places.

According to the GA the people who have lost their houses have been provided with temporary shelters in their own compound and the National Housing Development Authority has carried out a survey on the damage to provide fresh housing arrangements for the IDPs who had lost their homes.

Schools, hospitals and police stations have also begun to operate in certain areas where the IDPs are being resettled in the Batticaloa district, according to Arumainayagam.