Four stage development program for IDPs - Basil

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

The Government’s commitment is to give its best to the civilians fleeing the LTTE-held areas. They will be resettled as soon as possible, Senior Presidential Advisor, MP Basil Rajapaksa, who is in-charge of the Eastern and Northern resettlement programs said.

Outlining the overall resettlement plan for the Vanni IDPs and the proposed IDP villages, he said that there is no space for anyone to `sell’ these civilians who would be provided maximum security for their own safety.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer he rejected the claims that the IDPs are to be kept in “concentration camps with barbed wires.”

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: Unlike the Eastern resettlement strategy, the program to resettle Vanni IDPs was criticised by the international media recently. Why is it different from the previous experience ?

A: There is no difference between the resettlement strategies adopted in the East and Vanni. But this time the President wants to provide maximum facilities and security to these people. In fact he wants to resettle them in their own habitats as soon as possible. But the prevailing security situation is not healthy enough to resettle them in those areas immediately.

This whole Program has four stages - first is to provide facilities, refreshment and medical care, as soon as the IDPs crossed the FDLs.

After registering them, within two days, they will be transported by buses and boats to Vavuniya and Trincomalee, where they are provided shelter, food and sanitary facilities at temporary camps.

Providing food and other basic needs daily is a daunting task. It is not as easy as criticising. In the third stage, the IDPs will be transferred to IDP villages, where they are provided schooling, banking, health and recreational facilities. Four IDP villages will come up soon and one village is nearing completion. The number of houses depends on the extent of the land available for the purpose. There will be villages with over 10,000 to 15,000 houses.

Third stage is set to transferring IDPs to temporary villages. This concept was mooted when President Rajapaksa visited the earthquake struck province in China, where the IDPs were temporarily resettled. Even before the military captured the LTTE controlled areas and people started fleeing, the President had instructed the relevant authorities to draw up a proper plan to temporarily resettle these people in a decent and dignified manner. He always considers these IDPs as Sri Lankans and wants to give, especially the children, the best facilities that the Government can provide.

So, each and every IDP family will get a small house with a home garden. Children and youth are given special consideration under this concept.

Fourth stage is to resettle them in their original lands. That process started as soon as the troops captured the LTTE held areas. Before the troops are moving forward, the Army Engineering unit clears the mines and reconstructs the damaged roads, bridges, schools, public buildings etc. They are also assisted by the RDA. Electricity has been restored from Mannar to Mullaittivu now. We have already dispatched two generators to provide temporary electricity supply to Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu. Restoring the civil administration, police posts and police stations in Kilinochchi have already been established.

The biggest task before the forces is to clear the mines in these areas. Like in the East, the organizations involved in de-mining, have started operations in Vanni areas. Once the de-mining activities are completed, the main livelihoods -fishing and agriculture have to be restored before resettling the IDPs.

Q: But, they claim that these people would be kept in closed doors and heavily guarded until the military destroys the LTTE fully ?

A: There is no question that these villagers need to be given full protection and be kept under tough surveillance. This is one of the main concerns of the Government. It is sad to note, this is how our efforts to facilitate these people, who are badly beaten by terror, are misinterpreted to the outside world. When the Government tries to ensure their security, the interested parties claim that we try to humiliate these people. On the other hand we do not want to keep them for a long period of time. The President’s directive is to resettle them as soon as possible. He also asked to provide maximum security and facilities for the IDPs even if they stay there just for a day or two. His idea is that we should not marginalize them but treat them as fellow citizens.

The Government has decided to strengthen the security in these camps considering the requests made by their own people living here and abroad. In the East, IDPs complained about incidents like attempts of forcible recruitment by the para military groups who entered the camps. On the other hand, whether there are complaints or not as a responsible Government we have to guarantee their security. We have information that the LTTE cadres including suicide bombers are coming to the liberated areas mingling with the civilians. We had experienced such an unfortunate incident a few weeks ago, when a female suicide bomber exploded herself killing innocent female soldiers and their own people. The Government cannot take a chance and allow this to happen in future as well.

Q: How can these people keep hopes when the resettling proven in the East is not completed yet ?

A: Only three percent of IDPs are there in the East to resettle. Over 80 percent of the IDPs were resettled in a short span like nine months. Vakarai people were resettled within three months. People in Muttur, numbering over 40,000 were resettled within 40-days. Hopefully we would be able to resettle the balance before the end of April. We have a good record and will be an example to the whole world. However, President Rajapaksa wants start to re-cultivating the “rice bowl” in the Yala season and we are expecting a bumper harvest.

I think when somebody is doing some thing good, there will be criticisms and the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government is no exception. We are doing all these according to international standards.

Q: Are we to get international support for this program ?

A: Yes, definitely, the international community is inclined to help us and there is a good response from them.

Q: Resettling IDPs has become a “business” worldwide and therefore how does the Government plan not to make this a lucrative business ?

A: Chances to sell the IDPs are very remote! The Government will not expose these innocent people to make someone else’s pocket fat.There are INGOs and NGOs who do a genuine job to make the lives of these people better. We want them to continue their good name and work. If some one genuinely wants to assist these IDPs they should come through the proper channels. Yes, we have experience where some people have even sold the dead bodies for sinister purposes during the tsunami! But no one can sell the IDPs in Vanni. We are very tough on this issue and no space is left for corruption.

Q: While the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government is successfully eliminating terrorism, some critics and political parties charge the Government is run on war and does not have sound economic strategies for the future. What do you have to say ?

A: I think I do not have to counter these claims. Recently people in the five provinces gave the answer! If somebody says the Government run on war it’s true because ending the war is one of the main pledges given by President Rajapaksa and today he has kept that promise.

If the Government fails to liberate its people, there would not be a country at all. In this global village era, the ordinary people are more enlightened than the politicians. They do not decide things by merely looking at the surface of the issues. They will analyse everything and from their judgment. These claims are an insult to the verdict given by the common man. They have taken the correct decision by looking at the progress in all such matters as development, international relations and ending terrorism and also the future of this country. Once again, I appeal to those who make these claims not to insult the voters.

Q: Do you mean that the Government has a proper economic strategy for the future ?

A: Yes, it is not something new but it is the `Mahinda Chinthanaya’, which proved that it is one of the best policies to address the issues emerging locally and internationally. We faced the worst economic crisis generated internationally successfully. When these crisis - oil and food- propped up every one thought it would be the end of the government. But we had faced them boldly. They thought our economy would collapse but under `Mahinda Chinthanaya’ we had faced all these crisis well. Now an American who usually buys two shirts buys only one and he who drank two cups of tea now has only one. Who can say that this pattern will not affect us too? This is simple logic.

These changes in the buying habits of the West have also affected our economy. That is why we do not want to depend largely on tourism. Even if the country’s environment is good, the tourists from the Western Countries are not financially viable to spend money on foreign travel. But the Government has been able to manage the crisis well as it has already introduced diversified policies.

Q: Though the LTTE is weakened militarily, the outfit will thrive for some time as they have the support of the Tamil diaspora. How effective is the Government’s tool to stop them funding further ?

A: Naturally things are subject to change, so with the people in changing situations! Today the situation is different in the country from what it was years ago. When situation changes, it will be very difficult for the LTTE to survive. The Government is taking all steps necessary to stop the pro-LTTE activities internationally. We will continue to do so.