http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=RESETTLEMENT_COMPLETED_20121022_03

RESETTLEMENT COMPLETED - A milestone reached by the Government of Sri Lanka

All IDPs resettled within three years

No more IDP camps

The Government's expedited resettlement programme has been successfully concluded under the directions of His Excellency the President and guidance of the Secretary Defence and Urban Development with the unbridled support of the tri forces. The dedicated services rendered by the Sri Lanka Police Department and the Civil Defence Force in this national endeavour are much praiseworthy. The government prioritized the providing of permanent dwellings and livelihood support of the Internally Displaced People in its post conflict development drive.

All the Internally Displaced Mullaithivu families have been resettled in their own lands in the land area of Mullaithivu. Among them there were more than 590 widows with children undergoing severe financial constrains without a proper source of income. Through the resettlement programme these helpless widows who are the sole breadwinners of their families were provided with a number of social welfare facilities. With a view of engaging them in self employment ventures, sewing machines, fishing gear, farming equipment, soft loans, assistance for animal husbandry and many other facilities were provided. In addition to that training courses on beauty culture, sewing, poultry farming, food processing were also facilitated.

In order to support their day to day life dry rations, cloths and stationary for their schooling children were provided. Water, electricity and sanitation facilities were also provided. Medical clinics and counseling programmes were conducted to ensure the stability and health standards of the families. Identified fishing folk among the resettled IDPs, who had lost all their possessions were provided with fishing gear including boats and nets allowing them to engage in fishing in the lagoon and sea. Rs. 265.38 million has been reserved for resettled families in 85 Grama Nilidari divisions under a programme set by the Ministry of Economic Development and they have been provided with cement bags and roofing sheets which makes them comfortable in living preparations. Simultaneously some of the housing programmes have been implemented with the support of Indian government. Rs. 13.44 million has been allocated with a view of improving facilities and to construct buildings for 14 schools in area. Constructions of other essential public buildings in area are in progress with a view of offering a better public service to the dwellers. Thenniyan Kulam tank including other 21 small tanks have been renovated which facilitates the cultivation.

Resettled villages have been connected to the national grid with a view of lighting the villages. Thereby IDPs could pick up their new life by utilizing electricity and engage in new industries and contribute to the national economy.

With the end of the humanitarian operations the government was faced with a huge task of taking care and ultimately resettling about three hundred thousand IDPs.

The challenges faced by the government during the process are as follows.

• Control of heavy number of IDP's (approx 300000).
• Rehabilitation of identified ex-LTTE carders (Approx 12000).
• Clearing of booby traps and anti personal mines (Demining).
• Restoration of houses, public buildings, business premises and other vital buildings.
• Countering of false allegations formulated by various parties.
• Development of basic infrastructure facilities.
• Connecting the areas to the national grid.
• Rebuilding the road network.
• Restoration of irrigation and water supply.

The Tamil diaspora may relieve themselves of being refugees of Western countries and return back to their original homes in Sri Lanka. The Closure of Manik Farm relief camp where thousands of IDPs were housed is in its self is a remarkable achievement of the government. The Sri Lanka government's resettlement programme has come under international praise.

Sri Lanka has set an example for the world to follow in defeating terrorism and post conflict rebuilding and development.