Under Uthuru WasanthayA:

Home-sweet-home for dislodged Muslims

by Mohammed NAALIR

As we have achieved a historic victory over the three decade-old LTTE terrorism, we can win the development challenges too alone, Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rishard Badiudeen said during an exclusive interview with the "Sunday Observer".

Q: The Government has assured that the majority of IDPs will be resettled in their own lands within in 180 days. There are nearly 200,000 IDPs housed in welfare centres and welfare villages in Mannar, Vavuniya and other places. Is it possible within a period of six months?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has set up a special committee chaired by senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP to coordinate and expedite the development programme to be implemented in the North under Uthuru Wasanthaya. Several development projects will be implemented under the 180 day programme in the North on par with other provinces. The resettlement process includes the livelihood improvement and economic development of the war ravaged community.

The ban placed on fishing between Jaffna and Kalpitiya have been removed. Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa officially inaugurated the passenger transport service between Jaffna and Colombo on A-9 Road. Earlier, the Government had granted permission only for goods transportation through A-9 Road. The IDPs from 35 villages in Vavuniya District will be resettled before August 7. As the North has to be redeveloped afresh all Ministers of the Government will play a key role in the resettlement process. I believe that most of the IDPs could be resettled within 180 days as the de-mining activities have been expedited.

Q: In how many places the de-mining has been successfully completed?

A: The armed forces in collaboration with the NGOs have started de-mining in the North. The IDPs from Musali in Mannar district have been resettled as the landmines and other dangerous explosives were removed completely from that area.

Q: Terrorism is over. As the leader of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) what are your ideas on redeveloping our country while protecting the dignity of each community?

A: We have full confidence on President Mahinda Rajapaksa. his correct leadership and the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to the three armed forces brought us a historic victory over the LTTE terrorists. Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa also made an enormous contribution to eradicate terrorism and to develop our country. He will propose a sustainable solution to the ethnic issue under which the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims would be able to live in harmony while protecting their ethnic identities.

It won't be a difficult task for the President to give a solution to the ethnic issue when he had warded off the three decade old terrorism from our country.

Q: A huge amount of money is needed for the resettlement programme of the IDPs, Do you intend to get the assistance from donor countries or have any such countries come forward?

A: Even though the donors granted assistance to us it was not utilised in a systematic or planned manner. Earlier funds were unrealistical.

Earlier funds were spent based on their personal aspirations. Our country is gifted with all natural resources. We have lush paddy fields and bountiful sea around the country. When we develop the infrastructure facilities it would help people to strengthen their economy while improving the living standards. If the Government could eradicate deep-rooted terrorism from our motherland, resettlement wouldn't be a huge task.

- The Government can resettle the IDPs utilising its own funds. But if any donors are willing to help us we certainly accept them.

Q: The recently visited Indian delegation comprising top ranking officials of Indian Government has promised to help the Government in the infrastructure development process. What kind of assistance will be provided by the Indian Government?

A: India is our neighbouring country. Sri Lanka and India have fruitful bilateral relationship for a long time. India has extended its assistance to Sri Lanka in various ways. The Indian Government had sent the NFRA goods to be distributed among 50,000 refugees. India will also take part in the resettlement process in the future.

Q: The Eastern province was liberated before the Northern province. Are there any IDP families yet to be resettled?

A: Most of the IDPs have been resettled in their own lands so far in the Eastern province. Only 2 per cent IDPs have to be resettled.

Q: The fishing sector in the Northern province was also affected by terrorism and tsunami. Have you commenced any livelihood development projects for their well-being as the Minister responsible for disaster relief services?

A: Fishing community in the costal belt were badly affected by the tsunami. Under the Uthuru Wasanthaya and Neganahira Navodaya (Eastern Awakening) programmes the fishing community affected by tsunami and terrorism will benefit.

Q: The Muslims in the North forcibly evicted by the LTTE during the early 1990s are still living in Puttalam and other areas of the country. Has the Government drawn any plans for the resettlement of Muslim IDPs in their own lands in the North, specially in Jaffna?

A: One hundred thousand Muslims were forcibly evicted by the LTTE during 1990s from the North. They are keen to go back to their own lands as there is no terrorism in the North under the President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Government. As one and only parliamentarian representing the Muslim community in the North I have brought to the attention of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa MP the resettlement of Muslims.

The Government will implement special programmes to resettle the Muslims who were forcibly evicted by the LTTE terrorists.

Q: How many families displaced from the North have been resettled in their original lands in the North? How many are still living with their relatives and friends?

A: During the peace period in 2002 some families were living in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna. It is not a large number but with the dawn of peace in the country thousands of people who were evicted by the LTTE terrorists will be able to go back to their original locations.

Q: What is the present situation with regard to Jaffna Usmaniya College? Has the Government have any idea to reopen it?

A: Usmaniya College has already been reopened. With the resettlement of Muslims in Jaffna, steps will be taken to rebuild Usmaniya College and other Tamil schools in the peninsula. The committee led by Basil Rajapaksa is preparing the development plans. Two projects namely "180 day project" and "two year project" will be implemented in the North shortly. These projects will cater to the needs of all communities.

There are several business institutions belonging to Muslims in Jaffna. Have they recommenced business? What is their progress?

A: They have started businesses in a small scale. Most of the Muslims in Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya belong to the business community. As they were forcibly evicted by the LTTE they happened to give up their business and leave. In the current peaceful scenario they will be able to go back to their original locations and start business.

Q: Will the Muslim refugees resettled in the North be able to regain their properties?

A: Property of those who were forcibly evicted or left their houses due to fear should be handed back to them. They have a right to these property.