800 families await resettlement in Jaffna

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Of the 10,000 Internally Displaced families in Jaffna, as reported in 2007, only 800 families are awaiting resettlement in their original homes, officials said.

This was revealed at a review meeting recently between the govt. officials presided over by the Jaffna District Secretary K.Ganesh and the Commander of the Security Forces Jaffna Major General G.A. Chandrasiri. In the ongoing resettlement process another 21 families will be resettled in Allaipitty in the Kayts Island.

"The areas are totally safe for people to live. Demining is continuing and we ensure that people are resettled after the area is totally clear of mines," Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, told the 'Sunday Observer'.

There are no complaints from traders or civilians about food shortage and the items are available in the markets during this festive season," Jaffna District Secretary K. Ganesh said.

Food distribution is adequately done through private traders and cooperative shops uninteruptedly. Fuel and most of the other essential items are freely available security and civil affairs officials said. During the review meeting Major General Chandrasiri assured the support of the Army to continue humanitarian work.

"The offensives are also on in certain areas yet we give more emphasis on letting people got about with their day-to-day life, Major General Chandrasiri added.

Measures have been already taken to provide an uninterrupted power supply and the engineers are already working to upgrade the capacity of power generators.

All vegetables and other agricultural products are purchased by the Sri Lanka Army for their consumption, the Major General said.

At present there are 39 International Non Governmental Organisations operating in Jaffna including nine UN organisations helping in major areas such as demining, food distribution, education and resettlement.