Speedy resettlement in Kilinochchi

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Over 7,000 people have already been resettled in Thunukkai, Mallavi and Poonekeri in the Kilinochchi district, Northern Province Governor, Major General G. A. Chandrasiri said.

"According to recent statistics, the total number of people to be resettled in these areas are 28,500 and we are continuing the resettlement process without any delays. Simultaneously, infrastructure development is taking place in Nedunkerni and Dharmapuram areas in the Mullaitivu district to prepare the area for resettlement," Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri said.Accordingly, under the infrastructure developments taking place in Nedunkerni and Dharmapuram areas, road development, renovation of reservoirs, and reconstructing buildings of Government institutes are given priority.

All volunteer teachers who were serving in the Northern Province will be made permanent in their posts: 471 teachers in Jaffna were given their confirmation letters yesterday by the Governor. "It's an essential step as these teachers served there even during the most crucial stages in the recent past," the Governor added.

With these developments taking place under the 'Uthuru Vasanthaya' mega development drive of the Government, under the supervision of Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa M.P., the number of Internally Displaced Persons still staying in the welfare centres in the North have now been reduced to 137,000 from the initial figure of 275,000. Major General Kamal Gunaratne, the Competent Authority for IDP Welfare said all welfare facilities provided for these people are extended continuously without any lapses. "We have a special scheme to release the people to host families, who may be relatives or friends of the IDPs. The District Secretary needs to confirm that these host families are settled in the same area," Maj. Gen. Gunaratne said.