Massive resettlement drive to
reduce IDPs to 150 000 by tomorrow

By Nizla Naizer

With over 10000 IDPs returning to their homes in the last two days, the Disaster Management and Resettlement Ministry are confident that the total number remaining in the camps in the North would be brought down to 150000 by Thursday.
“We have over 100 buses in operation, taking the IDPs from the camps to their homes in the north,” Resettlement Minister Rishad Bathiudeen told The Bottom Line. “The IDPs in the Eastern Province have been completely resettled and over 48000 have already returned to their homes in the Jaffna District. But we are now focusing on returning the displaced citizens to their homes in Mannar and Vavuniya.” He explained that demining activities are still underway in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, and the IDPs from those areas will be returned once the accelerated clearing of the mines is complete.
There were 161000 IDPs in the camp on Tuesday morning and the resettlement drive is in line with the 180 day rehabilitation programme initiated by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa.
The programme ends on January 31 but the Minister was confident the resettlement would be complete by that date.
He stated that prior to resettlement the Government ensured that the villages devastated by the conflict were equipped with Divisional Secretariats, Schools, Hospitals and Community Halls. “We will ensure that all utilities such as water and electricity are provided to each household in the near future.”
He added that each resettled family is provided with 15 tin sheets and Rs. 25000 to start with the initial reconstruction of their homes.
“They are very happy to be going back and very eager to start their lives in their old homes again,” he informed.