TNA claims denied:

Marked drop in IDPs in Vavuniya and Chettikulam

by P. Krishnaswamy

There are around 150,000 IDPs in the Vavuniya and Chettikulam welfare villages and this number too is dropping progressively with an average of 2,000 persons being sent for resettlement daily, according to Vavuniya Secretariat sources.

The sources expressed optimism that another 100,000 IDPs were likely to be sent out of the welfare villages to their own villages in the coming weeks if the current phase of swift resettlement continues.

The sources denied TNA claims that over 200,000 IDPs continue to remain in the welfare villages.

Hygienic problems that were earlier experienced in the welfare villages during rainy days were mainly due to congestion.

With the dwindling number of IDPs and improved medical and health facilities now available, it was most unlikely that such problems will be encountered during the monsoonal rains which have already begun, the sources said.

Mullaitivu Government Agent Ms Imelda Sugumar who is also overseeing the Kilinochchi district told the Sunday Observer that resettlement in the two districts is now taking place along the Western parts of the A 9 highway while mine clearing is being carried out in the highly contaminated Eastern parts of the highway.

GA Sugumar denied TNA claims that de-mining is not being done in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts. The Engineering Division of the Sri Lankan Army, the Halo Trust and the Danish De-mining Group are engaged in the de-mining process in the highly contaminated Eastern coasts of the districts, she said.

Four Grama Niladhari divisions have been identified as safe areas for resettlement in the Mullaitivu district - Jayapuram North and South, Mulangavil and Natchikudah.