Refugee-camp saga of Northern Tamils to end

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/05/29/new04.asp

Refugee-camp saga of Northern Tamils to end
by P. Krishnaswamy
The saga of refugee-camp life of the Northern Tamils will come to an end next month with the resettlement of the last batch of 15,000 IDPs in the Mullaitivu District. These IDPs are now housed in the Menik Farm Welfare village in Vavuniya.
Mullaitivu GA, A. Pathinathan told the Sunday Observer that the resettlement of these IDPs was being delayed due to the ongoing demining process in their original villages.
Considering the inordinate delay in the resettlement process the Government has now decided to resettle them in other nearby villages in the district where de-mining has been completed and arrangements have been made to provide them all infrastructure and livelihood facilities, the GA said.
Tenders have already been awarded to construct the Divisional Secretariat, living quarters for Government officials, renovation of the hospital in Pudukudiyiruppu and the construction of a veterinary surgeon’s office, GA Pathinathan said.
Of the 23 mine-infested divisions, mine-clearing has already been completed in 10 divisions in the Pudukudiyiruppu AGA division and the IDPs will be resettled in two villages, he said, adding that they would be moved to their original Kaiveli and Kombavil villages when de-mining is completed in those villages.
Since the villages where the families are to be resettled are very fertile with extensive state lands and abundant water resources, each family would be allotted half-an-acre to one acre of arable land with provision of all assistance to engage themselves in agricultural activities, the GA said.
Their children will be provided health and educational facilities, he said.