Displaced to be resettled by end 2011 [February 11 2011]

The Sri Lankan government aims to resettle all conflict-displaced people by the end of 2011, senior officials tell IRIN.

“We are very confident that everybody can be resettled by the end of this year and [that we can] close Menik Farm camp as well," Uthpala Basnayakaye, secretary for the Ministry of Resettlement, said on 10 February, noting that demining had to be completed first.

Nearly 17,500 people continue to live at Menik Farm, the country's largest camp for internally displaced persons (IDP). Earlier the government had hoped to close the 500-hectare site outside the northern town of Vavuniya at the end of 2010.

“The demining process has been accelerated. However, a lot needs to be done. We believe by the end of 2011, we can complete the process," Basnayakaye said.

"The main problem we have is the landmine situation and we cannot close the camp until we clear the area," said Rishad Bathiudeen, a senior government minister and former minister of resettlement and disaster relief services.