http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Muslims_evicted_by_LTTE_from_North_to_be_re_settled_immediately_20121119_03

Muslims evicted by LTTE from North to be re-settled immediately

Thousands of Tamil-speaking Muslim people languishing in refugees camps for 22 years after their forcible eviction from their homes in North by LTTE will be re-settled in their original places of residence immediately, Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa said.

''We are determined to resettle these individuals shortly. A high percentage of the displaced individuals are Muslims. We certify that we will take steps to resettle them in their home towns,'' Minister Rajapaksa said addressing a conference on Friday.

A conference titled "Commemorating the 22nd year of the Forcible Eviction of Muslims from the Northern Province" to address the issue of evicted Northern Muslims was held on 16 November at the BMICH in Colombo with Minister Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest.

The 22nd Anniversary of the Displacement of the Muslim Community of the North was marked at the BMICH on Friday.

The conference was held to focus the attention on the plight of more than 60,000 Tamil-speaking Muslim people evicted from the Northern Province by the LTTE in October 1990.

Following the 24-hour eviction from their homes in the North at gun point, the displaced Muslims settled in refugee camps in the Puttalam district and other parts of the country.

After the end of the conflict and with the restoration of normalcy the displaced Muslims have expressed their wish to return to their original homes but several matters are complicating their return.

Courtesy : President Media Unit