Fifth IDP welfare centre to be opened

Govt. pledges to hold elections parallel to resettlement

The government yesterday announced that they would reinstate democracy to the resettled people, as soon as they are sent back to their homes while making plans to open a fifth welfare centre for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs).
Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene told a press briefing that they would do their utmost to hold local government elections as and when the IDPs are resettled, pointing out that democracy was an important part of total rehabilitation. The government has also earmarked several projects including vocational training and infrastructure development to fast-track the resettlement process.
“A fifth village will be added to accommodate another 40,000 displaced civilians,” Disaster Management, Relief Services and Re-settlement Ministry Secretary U. L. M. Haldeen said, adding that a large water supply scheme for the displaced civilians was commissioned last week.
The project is estimated at $ 3.4 million and co-funded by the UNICEF. “We expect to commission more such schemes soon.”   
The Power and Energy Ministry is busy introducing a programme to provide electricity in areas where the displaced civilians would be resettled. In addition the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Training has taken steps to open two vocational training centers at welfare villages in Vavuniya, to help impart different skills to young men and women who are sheltered as internally displaced persons.
Vocational and Technical Training Ministry Media Spokesman M.Nimal Perera, stated that these would be in addition to the vocational training centers that have already been set up at Manik Farm and Kadirgamar Welfare Villages, and 400 students are enrolled in courses at present.
Vocational and Technical Training Minister Piyasena Gamage had instructed the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) to immediately set up vocational training centres in IDP villages, because these IDPs had not been able to undergo any vocational training programmes for the last 30 years due to the conflict. Accordingly, training on sewing of ladies and children’s wear, gents wear, welding, motor mechanism, construction and computer technology are being dispensed on a daily basis for the unemployed young men and women
Meanwhile it is reported that the government has relaxed restrictions on access to international agencies inside IDP welfare centers. “The restrictions have been relaxed to some extent, but more access is needed,” UN spokesman in Colombo Gordon Wiess said.