True face of NGOs known after Sept. 29

* Aid workers were asked to move out of Killinochchi and Mullaithivu primarily to ensure their safety.

* The decision is not to withdraw completely but to

relocate them in safer areas outside Killinochchi.

* The Government will take full responsibility for the safety and welfare of IDPs.

* A new structure will be implemented to enable closer co-ordination between Government and NGO's.

* The decision to relocate humanitarian agencies will not disrupt their humanitarian activities.

* Over 200,000 IDPs can be provided with proper shelter and other amenities in Vavuniya.

* The relocation of UN Agencies and INGOs in Vavuniya will be completed before September 29.

* The Government expects more assistance from the UN and INGOs to strengthen the relief operations mounted by the GAs.

The Government has strongly urged all United Nations (UN) and International Non Governmental Organizations (INGOs) leaving Killinochchi and Mullaithivu to take all necessary steps to ensure that the equipment including hi-tech computers and heavy machinery left behind is not used for any illegal or military-related activity. Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe said that the UN agencies and INGOs had only been permitted to transport this equipment into the Wanni for the purpose of carrying out humanitarian operations. The equipment was never intended to be used for any military purpose. Commenting on the Government's decision to request the relocation of all United Nations agencies and INGOs from Mullaithivu and Killinochchi to Vavuniya by September 29, he said that the decision was taken purely to safeguard humanitarian workers. "The Government is committed to safeguard all aid workers as well as civilians", he said.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer Minister Samarasinghe said that the Government would closely monitor the stocks of equipment that the NGOs and INGOs were bringing into Vavuniya, the designated humanitarian hub, where UN agencies and INGOs would base their operations and carry out day-to-day humanitarian activities.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What is the main reason to pull out the UN agencies and other NGOs from Mullaithivu and Killinochchi? Is it mainly because of their safety?

A: This decision was communicated by the Defence Secretary at a meeting two weeks ago. The Government arrived at this decision mainly to ensure the safety and security of all aid workers. Therefore, the request was not to withdraw but to relocate them outside Killinochchi and Mullaithivu. The Government has taken steps to further develop a humanitarian hub in Vavuniya to ensure that the facilities are made available to help the people. Whilst continuing to function in Vavuniya they can complement what the Government is doing through the Government Agents.

Q: But how are you going to deal with humanitarian operations where the war reaches its final lap in Wanni?

A: As I explained earlier, the presence of these organisations has not been withdrawn; only their offices have been relocated in Vavuniya. They will engage in their work as usual through the GAs. The Government will take on the full responsibility of caring for IDPs from the two districts of Killinochchi and Mullaithivu as it did in the East in 2007. We are now engaged in the process of discussing with our international partners, the implementation of a structure to enable closer co-ordination and a stronger working relationship with them. The aim was never to disrupt humanitarian activities in Killinochchi.

The Eastern Province provided the best example of Government's commitment and capacity to handle humanitarian operations. There were over 180,000 IDPs and 170,000 of them are being resettled in their original areas of habitation, meeting international standards with the assistance of the UN agencies such as UNHCR. We don't engage in these operations behind closed doors, but work closely with our international partners in a spirit of open and constructive engagement. In the East, infrastructure facilities are being restored, livelihood opportunities are being provided and accelerated development programs have been launched with foreign assistance and we are making successful progress.

The Government is looking forward to implementing similar initiatives in the North. The people of the North will eventually be empowered to freely elect their representatives within a democratic framework as in the East.

Q: There are so many allegations against the NGOs. Do you find that these volunteer organisations working in the LTTE controlled areas are partial?

A: No, I do not think that it is appropriate for me to comment on this.

These organisations are there because the Government has given them approval for them to work in those areas.

If we find that they have violated any of the laws of Sri Lanka, it is incumbent on us to take immediate steps to investigate any such allegation and to take appropriate action in connection with proven allegations. We have done that in the past and will follow the same policy in the future. I don't think that it is fair to generalise and say that all NGOs are biased. If proved, we will deal with any violation of the law by anyone. By asking them to relocate and continue to carry out their usual humanitarian assistance operations from Vavuniya, it demonstrates that the Government would like them to continue their efforts in looking after the people in those areas.

Q: Are we internationally isolated after this decision to pull out these NGOs?

A: No, not at all. In fact, we have, to a great extent, been successful in explaining to our international partners and friends as to why this relocation is taking place. The UN itself has issued a statement stating that they are relocating. What I want to stress is that these organizations have not been asked to curtail their day to day activities to help the people.

The challenge for the Government is to ensure that there is no break in the services and that the humanitarian operations, which existed prior to relocation, continue.

That is why the Defence Secretary has now officially requested all the UN agencies and NGOs to submit a report describing all of their activities in Killinochchi. We will, thereby, ensure that these activities will continue as usual in uncleared areas.

Q: People caught inside the territory illegally occupied by the LTTE are in fear of their safety with the pull out of these organisations. What is the message that the Government can give them at this crucial juncture?

A: The Defence Secretary has announced the establishment of humanitarian corridors. These will provide a means of access to government controlled areas and will be opened soon. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed Government officials to provide IDPs with quality shelter and to have warehouses fullly stocked with food, medicine and other relief items. The GA of Vavuniya is now ready with three centres to accommodate 100,000 IDPs. The GA is also confident that they can set up more centres to shelter IDPs even numbering up to 200,000. There may be IDPs coming to Vavuniya from all over the Wanni and the figures that we are working are based on the GAs' estimates.

We cater to these figures, but there is a question mark whether these figures are 100 percent accurate. But we cannot take a chance. We are getting ready to cater to the highest estimated figure to minimise the risk of any shortfall.

Q: But it is reported that civilians have staged protests demanding the UN agencies to remain with them.

A: We do not believe that it was a spontaneous reaction. The UN and other NGOs have made their position clear - that they have respected the decision of the Government. The relocation is almost already completed. Everyone knows that nothing happens spontaneously in Killinochchi - most things of this nature are orchestrated.

Q: The Government wants all these NGOs to quit the uncleared areas before September 29. What steps would the Government take if they do not comply?

A: Let's wait and see. I do not want to jump to conclusions. I know that UN and INGOs are working very hard to complete their relocation even before September 29 if possible. The UN has almost completed the move out of Killinochchi, but the INGOs and NGOs are still in the process of getting out.

I would like to view this development from a more positive standpoint and hope that everything would be completed by the 29th. I think all of them will respect the Government's decision and they know that we took this decision in their larger interests. If there are any shortcomings, we will take appropriate remedial action.

Q: Once you had said that the Government has a record of all assets that these agencies have taken to Killinochchi and Mullaithivu. Is there any mechanism adopted to monitor whether they are bringing back these equipment including hi-tech assets with them?

A: The entire process was carried out in a very systematic way. There is an apex body - the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA) appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It is given the mandate to co-ordinate humanitarian assistance at a policy-making level while working co-operatively with our international partners. Before this decision to relocate was taken, at the CCHA which I have chaired for the last two years - these agencies were asked to declare their assets located in Killinochchi. Accordingly, UN agencies and INGOs have submitted reports to us. So whatever they bring from Killinochchi will be inventoried at the Omanthai check-point. We will have another record there. In addition, these organisations, in their efforts to be transparent and accountable, are requested to give us an updated report on what they were able to bring out from Killinochchi.

We also have statistics about what we allowed in the past few years, including during the tsunami for these agencies. I do not think we should really go on a witch-hunt against anyone.

These agencies are here on our invitation to help us look after the people. I think we can leave it up to them to be transparent and accountable. But they should be held responsible for what they are bringing back to government controlled areas and what they leave behind.

Q: People are speculating about whose heavy machinery LTTE is using to put up huge earth bunds. Isn't that proof that some of these aid agencies have misused the equipment allowed for humanitarian purposes to strengthen the LTTE militarily?

A: I do not think that we should speculate at this stage about how the LTTE acquired the use of this equipment. The UN has been able to bring all their vehicles back. We have the list and we can refer to it at any time. What I understand is that they have dismantled anything that they are not able to bring back which could have been used for military purposes. We have stressed that they cannot allow the LTTE to use this equipment for military purposes. This is because the Government allowed these aid agencies to take the equipment to Killinochchi exclusively for humanitarian purposes. If anything is being used for military purposes then anyone who deliberately or negligently enabled such use will be held accountable.

Q: What can the Government do if it is proved that some of these agencies have deliberately given these equipment to the LTTE?

A: After September 29, the remaining usable equipment will most probably be used by the LTTE. We are hopeful that most of the equipment will be transported to Vavuniya by these agencies.

But those who are proved to have intentionally left the equipment with the LTTE will leave us in no doubt as to what and who they are. As I stated before we will take appropriate action within the framework of Sri Lankan law.

Q: What kind of role can the UN play at this moment to stop the LTTE using civilians as human shields?

A: I do not think that the UN can actively intervene in this connection and canvass the issue within Sri Lanka to urge people to move from one place to another unless the people manifest that intention and seek assistance to move. Instead, they will concentrate on how they can help the Government to strengthen GAs to carry out humanitarian activities. It will be a very positive development if the international community, which hitherto has been very concerned about the shortcomings of this country, will also look into the suffering of these people and call on the LTTE which is holding these people back by force for use as potential human shields, to desist from this activity. Our international partners as well as these international organisations to be based in Vavuniya know what is going on there and hopefully they will pressurise the LTTE against the keeping of people by force of arms. In no circumstances should people be used as human shields.

Q: Will the Government evaluate the work of these aid agencies before allowing them to function as usual?

A: No, I don't think that we should go to that extent. The reason why we have asked for a report on their activities in Killinochchi is to ensure that the services they provided are not unduly disrupted by the relocation.

If anyone wants to continue with the projects that they have already started, they will be allowed to move into those areas in future and the Government will facilitate them to do so.

Who is Mahinda Buddhadasa Samarasinghe

Economist by profession, the Consular officer at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, who flew to his motherland in 1987, never thought that journey would make him a politician. When the then President late J. R. Jayewardene invited the young diplomat to contest the first ever provincial council election, he couldn't say 'No' as he had been always dreaming to become a politician one day.

Having his education in Australia, Mahinda earned BA (Hons) in Economics from the La Trobe University of Australia and then joined the Foreign Service. His first posting was as the first Secretary of the Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia and then over to Geneva.

The young UNP candidate for the Western Provincial Council topped the election by taking the highest number of votes in his first election and served as the Minister of Health and Economic Infrastructure until he was given the chance to enter parliament from the Kalutara District in 1994.

"I was given the Kalutara District which was a totally new district to me. But people took to me and I took to the people. And since then I have never being defeated and I will continue to represent my people in Kalutara even at the next election", the Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Samarasinghe says.

"I always want to put my country first," Minister Samarasinghe, who is seen wearing the white national suit at every function, enthuses adding that the name 'Buddhadasa' was added to his name by his father as he was born in a year which celebrated the 'Buddha Jayanthi'.

During his 15 years as a member of parliament he has served as the Chief Government Whip and also the Chief Opposition Whip. He was the Minister of Labour prior to becoming the Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management.

Minister Samarasinghe is the only Sri Lankan parliamentarian who was ever elected President of the Inter Parliamentary Union Human Rights Committee which is responsible to 168 Parliaments in the world.What do you think gives one of the busiest minister's in the government a balance in life? It is thinking about reality of life where 'everything changes' and 'everything is not permanent'.

"When I sit on this chair at this ministry I always think that this chair is a very temporary chair. And even I know that my position is temporary. If tomorrow the President thinks that Mahinda Samarasinghe is not suitable to continue to be a minister he will replace me. There is nothing I can do about it. These are not permanent positions and privileges that we can enjoy in life. When you realise that, it gives you balance. Some people think that these will evolve for them forever and ever, Minister Samarasinghe laments.

The Minister of Human Rights is happy that he has been able to meet whatever the tasks given to him by President Rajapaksa. "I think I have given my best to strengthen the government and contribute to my country. I will continue to do so", he says.Strongly believing the reality of life Minister Samarasinghe says that if he loses the chance to serve as a politician he would use his education to earn a living. "I would work internationally. I can lead a reasonably good life. If people do not give me the chance to represent them in the Kalutara District, then I have to think about something else. I will make use of my education. That is why I want to give my children a good education so they do not have to depend even on me. That is why education is so important", he stresses.

Minister Samarasinghe, who says that he does not have any regrets in life, enjoys life while serving people in Kalutara. "I have done a lot for my people and I am confident that the people will elect me again", he predicts.