http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/05/30/news01.asp

Lanka IDP-free by end July - Northern Gov.

Sandasen MARASINGHE

* Demining in North drawing to an end

* Accomplished in record time

G A Chandrasiri

The government will complete the demining process in all land areas required to resettle the remaining IDPs in the North, by the end of July, Northern Governor Major General G A Chandrasiri said yesterday. He also said that the challenge taken up by government officials, Security Forces and the public under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to resettle 295,873 IDPs liberated from the grip of the LTTE, amid doubts raised by the international community, had been met in record time of two and a half years .

He made these observations to the media yesterday in Jaffna at the workshop held for Divisional Secretaries, District Secretaries and top level public servants in the Northern Province organized by the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry under the guidance of Minister Sumeda G Jayasena. Governor Chandrasiri further stated that this high level of professionalism and success could be achieved due to the commitment of all sectors, the public and political leadership to establish permanent peace in the country.

He also added such a mammoth task being accomplished within such a short period of time after a three decade war was unprecedented.

He also said there are only 6,031 IDPs in the only two remaining welfare centres.

There are only 2,562 IDPs in the Kadirgamar Welfare Centre and another 3,469 at Anandakumaraswamy Welfare Centre. The Governor stated their resettlement was delayed due to the delay in the demining process in their villages. The demining process of Shinanagar, Pudukudirippu West, Mullaithivu would be completed by May. 31.

The same process in Pudukudirippu East, Ambalavan Poppanei, Mandavil, Mullivaikal West and Anuradhapura is scheduled to be completed by end of July. Governor Chandrasiri said with the completion of demining Sri Lanka will be an IDP free country. He added that yet the demining process will have to continue for another 3 to 4 years to secure the Mahaveli area which was heavily mined. He added these areas will be released for cultivation.