August deadline for resettlement of IDP

by L.S. Ananda Wedaarachchi

Resettlement Minister Milroy Fernando said that he gave instructions to expedite the resettlement activities including removal of landmines in the North.

He said the Ministry targets at settling all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North in their villages before the end of August, 2010.

"IDPs are willing to go back to their homes even before the completion of the demining process. As a responsible government we cannot allow them to do so. The Government is very keen about their safety. Although some landmine casualties have been reported from other countries no such incidents have taken place in the North and the East," the Minister said.

He said some IDPs visit their old lands and return to relief villages very often.

According to the Resettlement Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Mahinda Moragolla 220,000 IDPs out of a total of 288,938 have already been resettled in their former villages.

Under the World Food Program, IDPs returning to their former villages are being provided food items for six months twenty roofing sheets, kitchenware and Rs. 50,000, he said.

Dr. Moragolla said that the resettlement process would continue even after the IDPs have returned to their villages. All assistance would be given to them to recommence their livelihood in perusing activities relating to agriculture, fisheries or small industries in which they were engaged in previously, he said.