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Current Events
Resettlement of displaced persons at faster pace
Friday, 20 November 2009
The resettlement of the displaced now housed in welfare camps ha been accelerated further with much speed,reports from the North said.
More than half of the total displaced number have already been resettled in their former places of origin.
The resettlement scheme of displaced persons has been hailed as the fastest so far in any country.
United Nations Under ecretary General,John Holmes who visited the northern areas of welfare camps and resettlement has commended the government for speedily resettling more than half of he displaced number within a short time.
Holmes inspected many welfare villages in the north and was satisfied with the facilities afforded to the people.
The Government of Sri Lanka has purchased 250 Million Sri Lankan Rupees worth of five Mine Clearing Machines from the Government of Slovakia to clear land mines in the liberated areas in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Mr.W.KK.Kumarasiri, Secretary, Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development officially handed over their machines to Hon.Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services on 4 th of September 2009 at the Katunayake International Airport. Participated at the handing over ceremony are Hon. Deputy Minister of Aviation Mr.Sarath Kumara Gunaratne and Mr.Lalath Coordinating Secretary of His Excellency the President. These mine clearing machines will be used to clear mines in the Musali, Manthai, Madu areas in the Mannar District.
UNICEF Procured 10 Gully Emptier’s to serve in the Vavuniya Relief Villages for the benefit of nearly IDP’s. The Gully Emptier’s valued at Rupees 50 million has a capacity of 5000 liters and will be used to remove sludge from the temporary latrines constructed for IDPs
These vehicles were handed over to the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief services Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, by the UNICEF Representative for Sri Lanka, Mr. Philippe Duamelle, at a ceremony held at the UNICEF premises in Colombo on 8 th July.
Canadian Parliamentarian the Honourable Deepak Obhrai M.P., who is also the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs called on the Honourable Rishad Bathiudeen M.P., Minister for Resettlement and Disaster Relief services today at his Ministry. During their extensive discussion, they had the Canadian Deputy Minister was accompanied by the Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Angela J.Bogdan and senior officials.
Main purpose of the meeting was to focus on the humanitarian issues relating to the currently displaced Sri Lankans in the North, particularly to discuss the ways and means of resettling them early as possible and in that regard the assistance that Canada could extend to Sri Lanka.
Resettlement of IDSLs of Mannar
The second phase of the resettlement of the Internally Displaced people of Mannar began on Tuesday 9 th 2009 at Musali in Mannar with the resettlement of 542 Families. These families are going back to their own damaged houses which the Govt. will help repair in the near future.
The Armed Forces are currently providing security to the area while arrangements are being made to reconstruct the Police Stations in the area to enable proper policing.
The Hon. Rishard Bathiudeen M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services graced the occasion by ensuring that the IDSLs return to a peaceful environment.
The Minister indicated that at the next stage more than 500 to 700 families will be resettled with the assistance from the Govt. budget, foreign governments, INGO and UN participation.
In the last phase the Ministry resettled 126 Families at Musali in the Mannar district.
The Minister indicated that it was a time consuming and tedious process as the Govt. had to clear the area of terrorists, their weapons stashed in hidden locations, anti personnel mines, repairing infrastructure and help rebuild houses before bringing an environment conducive for the internally displaced people to return to these areas reclaimed by the terrorists.
UN envoy V. Nambiar applauds Govt.’s efforts in IDP facilities
Vijay Nambiar, special envoy of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon who is in Sri Lanka for the second time visited the welfare camps setup by the Government for the Internally Displaced Persons in Manik Farm, Zone 01 and Zone 4 areas.
During his inspection tour Mr. Nambiar observed the welfare activities and other programmes initiated by the Government provided to the unprecedented number of persons who had been held hostage by the LTTE beofre they were freed by the Sri Lankan security forces.
Mr. Nambiar arrived in the country prior to Government formally announcing that terrorism had been completely vanquished. According to UN sources the purpose of his visit to Sri Lanka was to push forward the Secretary-General’s agenda, which involved asking for restraint and negotiations to allow the endangered civilians to leave the conflict zone.
This task was rendered irrelevant however by the swift and decisive action of the security forces to free all the civilians held hostage by the LTTE.
Vijay Nambiar is a veteran Indian diplomat and has been the Chef de Cabinet (Chief of Staff) under UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon since January 1, 2007. He holds the rank of Under-Secretary-General and is a member of the Secretary General's Senior Management Team.
Meanwhile the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka to hold discussions with President Rajapaksa, several ministers and other top Governmental officials.
Strange Winds on the demise of the LTTE Leader
The winds throughout the country changed to the better, from the day of the fall of the tiger insurgency with the death of their leader V. Prabakaran. The weather became quite comfortable from the day the mastermind of this ruthless organization was eliminated from operating. Until then the weather was hot, humid and unbearably sticky, ticking us through long days and nights of a heat wave which apparently passed through the island.
It appears like the nature’s behavior or god himself is themselves are trying to show how happy he is without the terror who commanded so many to loose their lives. In some religions, the sudden gusts of wind are interpreted as the movement of angels in the atmosphere. The astrology of the land also seem corroborate with its prediction that the country is ticking in the direction of a safer constellation. Whatever, is the reason, the change to a more windy atmosphere is more welcome at least for a change, as we pray for more rain in the catchment areas where it is mostly needed.
The skeptics may attribute this change in weather to the long awaited setting of the monsoonal winds. Whether it is this scientific reason or something spiritual that we cannot quite comprehend, the cool winds are a welcome change to help the country get the long needed precipitation in the catchment areas. If not for this essential rain, we would be looking at living through future power cuts especially in the Capital.
Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services indicated that, too much rain in the Vavuniya area would only make the relief efforts directed at the IDSLs sheltered at Transient Shelters difficult to operate. Since the insufficiency of proper sanitary conditions could result in outbreaks of common flu to more dangerous health conditions. However, if nature or the God is are sending the rains to Vavunia too, then perhaps we can only pray that they send only the clouds to cool off the heated region and let the rain fall in the catchment areas of the island.
While the intellectuals claim that they get new ideas with these sudden winds, the average man’s sweat is wiped off with this free air conditioning, which the people in the north claim, is involuntarily enjoyed by those living in the south. Whatever, these strange winds brings, it is certainly comfortable weather to us in the Capital, while it is up to the god to give the appropriate weather to those living and working in the Temporary Shelters up north or living in the northern districts of the island.
Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P., Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services meets with Ex President – United States Mr. Bill Clinton on 24 th April, at UN HQ in new York, at the event of release of the Tsunami Global Learned study report.
BRITAIN, FRANCE FAIL TO SECURE CEASEFIRE
By Jamila Najmuddin
Britain and France yesterday failed to secure an agreement with the government to declare a ceasefire with the LTTE and get humanitarian access for the UN and aid agencies into the so-called ‘no fire zone’.
Addressing the media in Colombo yesterday after meeting senior government ministers and officials, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said they had urged a ceasefire in Sri Lanka not with the intention of saving LTTE Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran but with the interests of the civilians trapped in the no-fire zone.
“We tried very hard. We insisted and insisted but it is up to our friends to allow it or not,” Minister Kouchner told journalists commenting on their failure to secure an agreement for a ceasefire.
“Now is the time for the fighting to stop.
Sri Lanka's military advances have been spectacular, but winning the peace is as vital as winning the war,” Britian’s Miliband said.
“The international community has been asking for a ceasefire not to save Prabhakaran, but a call to allow civilians to leave, for long term peace in Sri Lanka,” he added.
Both Ministers Kouchner and Miliband held lengthy discussions with Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama and other senior Government ministers and officials yesterday morning in Colombo. Soon after the discussions the duo left for Vavuniya to visit the IDP camps and see for themselves the situation in the area. Upon their return back to Colombo yesterday afternoon, they held discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa followed by a discussion with Minister Bogollagama in the evening once again.
The ministers said they had accepted the Sri Lankan Government’s invitation to visit the country as they were anxious about the civilians in the North and insisted that the Government and the LTTE should protect them.
“We insist on civilian protection. Not only inside the no fire zone but also from the time when they leave the zone to the time they are screened and safely brought to the camps in Vavuniya. We also insist on humanitarian access to the no fire zone for the benefit of the civilians,” Minister Kouchner said.
Both ministers also called on the LTTE to free the civilians who they are holding hostage in the six square kilometre stretch of the no fire zone and stressed the Tigers had caused Sri Lanka to face a murderous campaign for the past 25 years. “The civilians are hostages of the LTTE. We want them freed and we call on the LTTE to release them,” the French Minister said.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that the Government had listened to the concerns of the two countries and would take into consideration their requests and suggestions and thanked them for accepting the Government’s invitation.
Minister Bogollagama also assured that the Government was looking into the safety of the civilians and said that a target had been set to rehabilitate almost 80% of the civilians by the end of the year.
He said Sri Lanka hoped to work closely with France and Britain and thanked both countries for pledging large sums for the welfare of civilians in the North.
Northern resettlement in full swing:
Mannar makes the first move
Dhaneshi Yatawara in Mannar
 Pix: Chaminda Hittetiya
Resettlement of the IDPs is the government’s prime concern. Along with providing almost all the necessities of these people who got displaced due to LTTE terrorists it is the utmost necessity to concern over these peoples greatest hope of returning home.
No sooner the Security Forces liberated the original lands of these people the Government machinery started rebuilding the areas making them fit for habitation. As a result of hard work and dedication the North is slowing getting resettled.
The resettlement of civilians displaced by LTTE atrocities in the Northern Province was initiated last week at Savariapuram in the Musali DS Division in Mannar.
The Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Ministry together with the line ministries and relevant Government Ministries strictly ensuring that the people are provided with all the basic needs, resettled 122 families comprising over 400 people in their original properties.
‘First of the North’
Mannar district liberated from the LTTE mid last year was being cleared of landmines and was the first region where civilians were being resettled. Demining is being done in the other districts of the north and progressively all displaced civilians would be resettled in their original villages or towns.
Troops attached to the 58 Division of the Sri Lanka Army liberated these areas in Mannar popularly known as the `Rice Bowl’ on June 29, 2008. They captured over 120 square kilometres of land and the historical `Giants Tank’ (`Yodha Wewa’) which is around 23 square kilometres in extent. The `Rice Bowl’ comprises approximately 153 major and minor tanks and irrigation systems.
Extending further
With this victorious task the Government was able to start the foundation work of the resettlement process along with the demining process. The Ministry of Nation Building initiated the ground work for resettlement even when the war was continuing in the northern areas of Mannar along with the demining work.
Registration of the names of families that were to be resettled and providing them with food and non-food essential necessities took place during these initial stages.
Presently, demining is continuing in 15 divisions and in six division the land is cleared of mines.
In addition to the physical resettlement of the displaced people of the North, the Resettlement Ministry was providing the people with means of livelihood development like providing tools for those engaged in carpentry, masonry or motor mechanism or seed material and agricultural implements for those who had cultivated paddy or other crops, Disaster Relief and Resettlement Ministry sources said.
“The Northern resettlement programme will follow the Eastern resettlement programme since the Government resettled more than 200,000 people in the East in a short span of time which was a true success to a developing country like ours,” a Ministry official said.
The Government has provided funds for the people who return to their villages, to repair and renovate their damaged homes. In addition to the assistance to repair or rebuild their original homes, civil administration had also been set up with Grama Nildharis who have been appointed already and police stations set up in these areas.
The massive historic irrigation scheme ‘Yodha Weva’ is also to be rehabilitated at a cost of Rs. 380,000,000 provided by the World Bank and the roads from Medawachchiya to Mannar would also be developed to facilitate the people to bring their agricultural produce to the towns for sale after the irrigation scheme was rehabilitated and cultivation in this region restarts.
According to District Secretariat office statistics in 2006, 19,685 families have been depending on the waters of the `Yodha Wewa’ with an estimated 24,438 acres of arable land area.
The families in Musali who are coming back to their original places of residence are to live in tents provided to them until their homes were repaired and fit for habitation. Needs like cooking utensils will also be provided to all families in the assistance package with sanitation facilities as well.
For our own people
Officially commencing the resettlement activities in the North, the second phase of the national resettlement programme, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP stressed that aid organizations, INGOs and NGOs, should be honest in helping civilians who have fled from the terrorists’ clutches.
Stating that the international agencies are engaged in a futile attempt to create fissures among communities under the pretext of assisting Sri Lanka the Government will not allow international organizations to sow the seeds of disunity and division among communities. The priority is meeting the needs of the people and not personal agendas.
Mannar, in fact, was a significant city of the ancient Sri Lanka as an important trading port apart from its worthiness for its most fertile land and high yields of rice. According to historians who have extensively researched on these ancient areas like Ellawala Medhananda Thera, Mannar is a village located close to the greatest port of the Western coast in the ancient times, the Mahathiththa.
As per the historical records Mahathiththa continued as the chief port of Rajarata at least up to the thirteenth century. It functioned as an important trading point where South Indian traders flourished.
Apart from its economic value, this areas is blessed with one of the fertile lands in this island nation. According to statistics available with the District Secretariat office, in the year 2006 the total Mannar district recorded 47,958 metric tons of paddy harvest in maha season.
The Mannar district is capable of producing a massive yield of paddy harvest and high quality seed paddy. When the people settle down again and start their normal lives and livelihood activities, we will be able to see wonders on this blessed land.
Hopefully in a short period we may see beautiful green paddy fields, when the original owners of this patch of land resettle in these life regaining lands.
Source : Sunday Observer 3.May.2009
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Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services, Hon. Douglas Devananda M.P. Minister of Social Services & Social Welfare and Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management & Human Rights represented Sri Lanka at the Durban Review Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related intolerance at the European head quarters of the United Nations at Geneva, Switzerland recently.
TASK FORCE TO HANDLE EXODUS
Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services said that Special Arrangements have been made by the Govt. to provide Educational Facilities to children who are internally displaced due to counter terrorism activities which the Govt. has been forced to undertake in the Vanni to neutralize the terrorists.
Having established schools and preschools at all Transitional Relief Shelters, the Govt. has begun deploying additional teachers and teaching facilities for the Internally Displaced Children.
A new school was opened at the “Arunachalum Transitional Relief Village on the 21 st of April 2009. The existing schools have been refurbished to enable the teachers to conduct both morning and evening classes.
The current number of IDSLs who have safely reached the Govt. controlled areas is approximately 111,000 and continues to rise as the counter terrorism activities are coming to a conclusion.
All IDSLs who have reached the Govt. controlled areas have been provided with all necessities essential for survival and recovery. Until durable solutions are found to resettle them back in their original places of abode, the Govt. is providing shelter and security to these IDSLs in 15 Govt. operated Transitional Relief Shelters (TRS) at Vavuniya and 6 TRS at Jaffna.
Forecasting at least another 70,000 IDSLs to emerge out of the “No Fire Zone” the Govt. has made preparations to provide the necessary facilities to them too.
Arrangements have been made to provide shelter and security for this expected influx coming out of the Vanni at the Menik Farm area of Vavuniya in the “Arunachalum”, “Kathirgamam” and “Ananda Coomaraswamy” Transitional Relief Villages.
A Task Force has been created by the Govt. to provide necessary facilities to these IDSLs. Through this Task Force essential Food, Health, Education, Electricity, Water, Sanitation, Nursing and Non food related items and other facilities shall be provided.
Interface between the SL Govt. and the World Community
Arrangements are being made in order to inform and keep updated the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki Moon and the former president of the United States Mr. Bill Clinton of the Government’s Humanitarian Relief Services provided to innocent civilians seeking shelter at Transitional Relief Shelters during the government’s counter terrorism activities undertaken in the Vanni.
To serve that purpose Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Services and Hon. Minister Douglas Devananda shall embark on a journey to New York in the next few days.
Officials of the United Nations Humanitarian effort Mr. Walter Kaleen, Sir John Holmes, members of the diplomatic Corp, organizations of Tamil and Tamil speaking people, NGOs and other organizations are happy with the efforts made by the Govt. to provide relief assistance to civilians in the Vanni area.
However, various organizations operating overseas have attempted to tarnish the image of the Govt. by making protests and opposing remarks about the Govt.’s humanitarian effort to bring disrepute in the minds of the world community.
On the directive of H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse the President, to defend the Govt.’s position we are setting off to New York USA to meet world leaders as the interface between the Govt. and the world community.
Upto now there are over 60,000 IDSLs who have been provided Shelter, security, food, Non Food related items, nursing, health, schooling, counseling and other services at 15 Transitional Relief Shelters (TRS) at Vavuniya and 6 TRS at Jaffna.
Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services indicated that 1500 Temporary duplex shelters to house 3000 families have already been provided. A further 1500 temporary housing units to house 3000 more families are under construction.
Having provided Humanitarian Relief Services to civilians trapped in the terrorist strongholds in Mullaitivu, the Govt. is making arrangements to provide relief assistance to a total of 100,000 IDSLs in Vavuniya.
Further, in addition to the civilians, security and relief assistance has been provided to 700 ex-combatants of the LTTE terrorist outfit in 4 Transitional Relief Shelters at areas that shall not be disclosed due to the prevailing security situation.
HEALTH AND UTILITY TEAMS DESPATCHED TO COPE WITH EXODUS
The Hon. Ameer Ali M.P. Minister of Disaster Relief Services briefed the press today indicating that special Health Care and Utility Teams were dispatched to Vavuniya to meet and welcome the exodus of IDSLs being released by the SL Security Forces from the clutches of the LTTE terrorists.
He indicated the Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services was currently attending the Durban Review Committee in Geneva on official duties, though there is a chance that he might return sooner than expected.
The Minister said that Arrangements have been made by the Govt. to provide Health, Nursing, Transport, Security, Shelter and other Facilities to all IDSLs who are internally displaced due to the conclusion of counter terrorism measures which the Govt. has been forced to undertake in the Vanni to neutralize the terrorists.
Up to now an additional 47,000 IDSLs have reached the Govt. controlled areas since the Presidential Ultimatum was given. We have already prepared facilities to shelter over 58,000, although we have this excess shelter space to house 11,000 more IDSLs, the number of IDSLs expected from the “No fire Zone” is in the region of 30,000 to 40,000. In order to shelter this figure we have 6700 tents which will be used as temporary shelters. The current number of IDSLs who have safely reached the Govt. controlled areas is approximately 121,393 and this figure continues to rise as the counter terrorism activities are coming to a conclusion.
Having established additional Shelter Facilities in Transitional Relief Shelters for the expected exodus, the Govt. has begun deploying additional transport facilities to bring these IDSLs to safer and secure areas in Vavuniya.
In addition essential Food, Health, Education, Electricity, Water, Sanitation, Nursing and Non food related items and other facilities shall be provided to these IDSLs.
INGOs & NGOs take a look at Transitional Relief Shelters
People representing INGOs & NGOs began obtaining visit passes from the Ministry to enter the Transitional Relief Shelters in Vavuniya to take a good look around as to how best they could help the IDSLs in their circumstances. Almost all of them wanted to see the initial conditions before they made any commitments.
Depending on the specific intent such as counseling services, supply of medical equipment, providing food and non food related items, provision of water or sanitation services, the Ministry began referring them to the relevant ministry handling such service. So that they can concentrate to provide the most appropriate technical relief service that each of them are mostly adept with.
The Hon. Minister Rishad Bathiudeen having gotten the green-light to get the support of Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the provision of relief to IDSLs including technical relief services, began a process of selecting them in February 2009.
Having prepared an agreement to be signed with each of them on receipt of a letter of intent from each INGO / NGO making specific intentions for relief services, the Ministry is in the process of making proactive preparations to have them signed.
As soon as they have completed making their observations in Vavuniya, seen where their service fits in, together with the Ministry and other UN agencies the INGOs & NGOs shall begin to be part of the support providers to the marginalized IDSLs that have survived the LTTE human shield and the much awaited counter terrorism measures effected by the Govt. in the Vanni.
The Govt. is committed to the provision of any of the relief services including technical relief to the IDSLs in case the INGO or NGO backs off for any reason whatsoever said the Hon. Minister awaiting for them to sign the agreements with the Ministry.
Modern Information Technology to the Relief of IDSLs
A Management Information System (MIS) has now been created under the auspices of the Honorable Rishad Bathiudeen M.P., Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services to facilitate database to collect IDSL statistics for planning and operations.
This MIS process will help the Ministry to more effective and expeditious coordination and to carry on all humanitarian activities connected with Internally Displaced Sri Lankans (IDSL) from the time of their entry with Government controlled areas help to the time when they are resettled in their usual places of residence in the short time possible.
Foreseeing the future pay-offs of modern Information Technology the Hon. Rishad Bathuideen – Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief laid the initial steps by creating this computer Information Technology Unit in the Ministry.
By this manner soon the Ministry will be able to quickly locate where a certain IDSL, his/her family, origin, how many in the family, whether the children in the family receive education, hospital care, and so on. This information can be used later when the family is ready to be resettled in their original or if that area is not yet ready, to a consented place of resettlement after the government’s counter terrorism drive is completed.
Mine Clearance
Proactive plans to prepare for Mine Clearance Activities in the Vanni Areas to be undertaken by the Government have begun under the initiatives of the Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services. The Hon. Minister preparing to resettle the displaced people of the Vanni, invited Mr. M.S. Jayasinghe Advisor of the Ministry of Nation Building, to make a presentation on Mine Clearance of the reclaimed areas from the LTTE Terrorists.
He said that Mine Clearance Activities began in the year 2003 when the Govt. together with the UNDP created the Mine-Action Steering Committee. They had begun working with international expertise through six International Non-Governmental Organizations and one local NGO. At that time the govt. had the responsibility of demining mined areas in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Mannar and Batticaloa.
Mr. Jayasinghe indicated that approximately 60 % of the ‘Cleared’ areas have been De-mined which was inclusive of 60% of the cleared areas in Jaffna.
However, mine clearance has been stalled until counter-terrorism measures in the North and East are completed by the SL Security Forces.
He said that de-mining is a time consuming activity since it is dangerous and difficult to certify the demined areas unless it is done scientifically. Systematic Identification of un-mined areas involves inter alia, Inquiries from the local population to figure where the mines could be buried, observations of the affected areas, taking presumptions into consideration, make useful deductions while the demining is being conducted, so that the concluding report can be certified to provide the assurance that there cannot be accidents in that area, which was certainly not an easy operation.
The Tasks of Mine Clearance involved – Obtaining necessary clearances from the Security forces mainly the Army, District Secretary to inform people in the area to cooperate and the UNDP who coordinates with the District Secretary to obtain community information to figure out how far the area has been contaminated and provided the endorsement to go ahead with the work .
Then Mapping of the territory begins using the GPS coordinates which had to be accurate, areas appropriately demarcated, highlighted and documented. Then Manually Raking (inch by inch) of the selected field begin, when the ground is raked to a depth of a minimum of 20 cm from the surface, however, to uncover UXDs Unidentified Explosive Devices the digging shall certainly be deeper.
Education of the local residents, Victim Assistance, Stock Pile Destruction and Advocacy are other functions of Mine Clearance.
Battle Area Clearance (BAC) is usually done by the National Security Forces. Areas where the Army had laid mines was easier to demine as the Army had laid them systematically and sufficiently documented the areas originally mined. Though the fields that the LTTE had laid mines, UXDs and booby traps were highly dangerous, chaotic, undocumented and difficult to fathom.
Finally when the field is eventually ‘completely’ demined the UNDP along with the Security Forces and the Operator gives a Clearance Certificate for the particular area. However, not before a Quality Assurance is conducted, when an area reduction is done, in order to hand over the area to the community.
Mr. Jayasinghe indicated that unauthorized operators who are not accredited by the UNDP are not permitted to conduct demining activities.
Currently, the Army has begun demining the A32 (Formerly the Main Supply Route) and the left side (South-West) of the road to Mannar as part of Battle Area Clearance..
So far approximately 50 Million Sq. Km. have been cleared of mines and 175,000 mines have been found and destroyed.
He agreed with the Hon. Minister that future demining activities may be conducted after having secured to effect Bi-Lateral Agreements with countries such as India, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Sudan, who had a considerable amount of experience and expertise.
He indicated that the Army could do it faster if the Army was relieved of counter-terrorism measures and enough funds could be raised.
----Rauf Sheldrake
Temporary Schools for Children
The government has created educational facilities for internally displaced children who have sought protection at the Transitional Relief Shelters erected to house the Internally Displaced Sri Lankans (IDSLs) escaping the Terrorist held areas with the advancing counter terrorism measures effected against Terrorism in the Northern Districts.
Preschool & Schooling facilities have been provided by the government to these unfortunate children, so that they can continue to learn despite the terrible experiences of horror and fright that they had faced at the hands of the L.T.T.E. terrorists and their strategies to use them.
The government is concerned about the well being of all civilians especially children and has created these temporary schools and recreational facilities to keep the minds of these children occupied, perhaps to make them be more creative and disallow these young minds to go back to thinking the way the Terrorists would have taught them to think.
The government believes that these children need to feel a sense of belonging in Sri Lanka and gradually let go of the antagonistic or subversive thoughts and beliefs believed to have been instilled in them by the Terrorists, which the terrorists certainly tried unsuccessfully to indoctrinate in these young minds.
These children must find themselves lucky and fortunate to be free of involuntary conscription by the terrorists. As young friends, brothers, sisters or relatives of these children are still struggling to fight along with their older comrades of the L.T.T.E. in the Mullaitivu jungles against the security forces.
The government has allocated sufficient teachers and volunteers to conduct these schools however, volunteers are welcome to join the government’s drive to continue to educate these marginalized children.
These schools and other facilities such as health care, nursing, water, sanitation, supply of food and non food related items will continue to be provided to these children and their parents who are internally displaced until they are properly resettled.
Although quicker resettlement is preferred, voluntary resettlement shall take time since the security forces have to clear the L.T.T.E. held areas of terrorists before demining of the landmass can take place. Further, even on the completion of mine clearance, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure facilities and the creation of an environment conducive for voluntary resettlement by the civilians themselves need to be created prior to expecting them to return to their places of abode without fear or anxiety.
----Rauf Sheldrake
Counseling
Displaced People reaching the Transitional Relief Shelters in Vavuniya from terrorist controlled areas in the Vanni through the safe zones are full of anxiety, depressed and disoriented. IDSLs including children are worried about their protection, family, reuniting with family, belongings, source of income and the utter embarrassment of having to put up at shelters.
Most of them suffer from the echo of the sounds of battle, anxiety of kith and kin gone missing, dead or displaced, worrying about the loss of their income channel and finding themselves at the mercy of those running the shelters. Apart from the shelter, protection, food, Non Food Related Items, nursing, health and sanitation facilities, the Govt. has recognized that there is an urgent need for counseling facilities.Naturally each of the IDSLs at least need someone to talk to them to help them pacify their worried and chaotic minds.
In order to respond appropriately to this need for Counseling in Psychology / Psycho-Social therapy. The Hon. Minister under whose guardianship these IDSLs find themselves, proactively began obtaining the cooperation of the Ministry of Health to form a team of Counselors to visit the Transitional Relief Shelters in Vavuniya to conduct counseling activities.
The Ministry of Health together with Non Governmental Organizations have prepared the necessary logistics to have counselors to go and meet the beneficiaries to talk to them in the ethnic Tamil language at the Transitional Relief Shelters.
In addition to civilians and children affected by the counter terrorism measures conducted by the government, ex-combatants have also found shelter at these Transitional Relief Shelters. These people suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and they need urgent relief in counseling for the conversion of the attitude of an ex-combatant to enable them to release their pent up anger and misfortune in order to normalize their mental condition to get back to live a normal civilian life again.
The Hon. Minister expected that the Counselors shall help these IDSLs including children to find themselves re-integrate back into the general society of Sri Lankans.
----Rauf Sheldrake
Great Minds have Great Ideas
The Undergraduates of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura responded yesterday with Relief supplies to the Internally Displaced Sri Lankans (IDSLs)escaping the control of the LTTE in the Vanni to Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services at the University premises.
The Relief supplies included Medicines, Dry Rations, Milk Food, Children’s Clothes, Toys, School Books and other items.
“Great minds have great ideas” they are the ones who deserve higher education, said the Minister, indicating that in most instances the image reflected by the students of Universities to the public was not clear. Taking part in peaceful demonstrations and protests against Govt. policy were fine, though throwing stones at authority and receiving tear gas in return only earned disrespect. However, this pledge of relief assistance to the underprivileged IDSLs, changes the image of the undergraduate in the minds of the public.
Putting back the pieces of the fragmented country together, H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse the President is gradually bringing order out of chaos by bringing the former rebels into the democratic process has made Mr. Karuna Amman, the Minister of Reconciliation and Mr. Chandrakanthan Pillayan the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province.
Abandoned paddy fields for over the last 20 years have been revived in the east, and soon when the counter terrorism measures are completed in the north we can expect the same in the north too.
This gesture of assistance for the displaced children shall go a long way, said the Minister. Indicating that the IDSLs who are seeking the protection of the Govt. are being provided with the available relief supplies. There are over 50,000 IDSLs at the Transitional Relief Centers and Villages.
At these Transitional Relief Villages (TRVs) relief supplies apart from food, medical and nursing facilities we have planned on providing schooling and health facilities, community centers, vocational training centers, cooperatives, water and sanitary facilities.
The undergraduates who are constrained by time and resources, coming up with this gesture of assistance to the impoverished is noted and appreciated as a valuable service to the community. It is a good example of brotherhood, although it looks like a small thing, it is a great thing to be done by the undergraduates towards showing a way forward for a number of little children who shall benefit from it.
The Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. N.L.A. Karunaratne said that this gesture shall serve to reflect the goodness of the entire student population of all Universities in Sri Lanka.
Police Superintendent Mr. Deshabandu Tennekone of the Mirihana Police Division thanked the students and indicated that the undergraduates had earned the respect of the entire Police Force for this gesture. Mr. U.L.M. Haldeen Secretary to the Ministry of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services , Mr. Sarath Perera Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services, Prof. A.M. Abeysekera of the Sri Jayawardenepura University and other University Officials and the members of the Student Council also attended the occasion.
Compensation to Victims of Terror
Yesterday 11 th March 2009, Compensation payments were paid to the beneficiaries of 13 people who died and more than 22 people who were injured in the suicide bomb attack on Tuesday the 10 th opposite the Godapititya Jumma Mosque, Akuressa.
Expressing their regret H.E. Mahinda Rajapakse the President, the Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P., Hon. Basil Rajapakse M.P. Senior Advisor to H.E. the President, Minister of Transport Dallas Alahaperuma M.P. paid their respects to the deceased to express their condolences to those left behind by the dead and visited those injured by the terrorists attack at the Matara General Hospital.
Condemning the attack on the day of the Holy Prophet Muhammed’s birthday, the Hon. Minister Rishad Bathiudeen indicated that human lives cannot be valued with the compensation that the government can give, though it is given on the initiative of H.E. the President to cover the extra costs of the families.
Wishing “Get well soon” wishes to those injured at the Matara General Hospital, the Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. made arrangements to compensate with Rs.100,000 for each beneficiary of the dead, Rs. 75,000 as a first stage payment and Rs. 15,000 for funeral expenses of the deceased.
A maximum of Rs. 50,000 for each of the 22 injured and receiving medical attention at the Hospital and others who have since left the hospital, of which Rs. 10,000 was given as a first stage payment and the balance shall be given on filing the Medical Reports depending on the degree of injury. Minister for Agriculture in the Southern Province Hemal Gunasekera, Aruna Gunarathne Coordinating Secretary to the President, Ranjith Jayarathne President of the Matara Municipal Council also took part in these activities.
A delegation of ambassadors and other high ranking diplomats who toured the Welfare camps in Vavuniya expressed their satisfaction at the facilities provided to the Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) by the Government.
They were highly pleased with welfare facilities at the Menikfarm welfare camp including those setup to provide vocational training for youth and the school opened for displaced children.
The delegation comprised South Korean Ambassador Choi ki Chul, Indonesian Ambassador D.Jafar Husain, Russian Ambassador Vladimir P. Mikhaylov, French Ambassador Michel Lummaux and Japanese Embassy Counselor K.Shimasak. They were accompanied by resettlement and Disasatre Releief Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and the Foreign Secretary Dr.Palitha Kohona.
The delegation was received by Vavuniya Government Agent Ms.P.S.M.Charles.
Commending the facilities at the welfare camp South Korean Ambassador Choi Ki Chul said that the delegation would take steps to inform the international community of the welfare facilities provided by the Government by the Government to IDPs.
Ambassadors of Russia and France also lauded the Government for its efforts at providing better facilities for the IDPs. The Government has provided all basic facilities to over 32,000 IDPs who have fled the uncleared areas and have arrived in the areas controlled by the Government.
Compensation Relief to 78 beneficiaries or victims of L.T.T.E. Terrorism
The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services handed over Compensation cheques to victims or beneficiaries of L.T.T.E. Terrorism at a ceremony attended by the Secretary of the Ministry, Officers of the Rehabilitation Authority, Ministry Officials and beneficiaries at the Ministry.
Of the Rs. 50 Lakhs set aside for this purpose, 58 beneficiaries / victims who lost lives or had gotten injured were given a total of Rs. 30 lakhs and 20 beneficiaries / victims of L.T.T.E. terrorism were given a total of Rs. 20 lakhs. The procedures taken to expedite the assistance provided to recipients earlier than forecasted was made possible because of initiatives the Mahinda Chintanaya of His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapakse.
The Hon. Minister said that this compensation was certainly not the real value of the loss of life, injury or damage sustained by the beneficiary or the victim, however, every arrangement has been put in place to serve those affected by terrorism perpetrated by the L.T.T.E. and he asked the cooperation of those present in that direction.
The Minister added that despite the enormous amount of money spent on Humanitarian Operations to provide disaster relief services and the development work of the rest of the country, the government is paying compensation payments too to those affected by L.T.T.E. terrorism. The reconstruction and redevelopment of infrastructure facilities in the north shall begin after mine clearance so that an environment conducive for voluntary resettlement of civilians has been created.
The Meeting was attended by the Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P. Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services, Mr. U.L.M. Haldeen the Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. A.C.M. Razik Chairman Resettlement Authority & Senior Advisor to the Ministry, Mr. I.A. Hameed Chairman Rehabilitation Authority and other officials of the Ministry of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services.
1168 Persons from un-cleared areas enter Vavuniya
“All arrangements are under way to provide relief measures to those coming from un cleared areas as per the instructions of HE the President” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services.
So far 1168 persons have entered Government controlled areas from un cleared areas seeking shelter and safety. Arrangements have been made to provide them with basic amenities and are safely housed in Menik Farm and Nelumkulama Welfare Centre in Vavuniya.
Action has been taken to clear a 80 acre block of land in Vavuniya for the construction of temporary shelters by the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services. Already construction of 150 houses is underway. Out of this number, presently 75 houses have been completed and are occupied by 47 families consisting of 240 persons. Plans have been drawn to send the others as well into these houses for occupation.
People coming from un cleared areas into Government controlled areas will be provided with Cooked meals, Dry Rations, Drinking Water, Health and Sanitary Facilities, Electricity, Cooking utensils, Clothes, Infant food and all other essential items.
Commenting on this, Ministry Secretary, Mr. A.C.M. Razik said that Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services is coordinating the provision of Relief Services to the displaced persons through the Government Agent Vavuniya. He further stated that a sum of Rs 30 Mln has already been allocated for this purpose.
More people are expected to enter Government Controlled areas in the near future. Government is standing by in readiness to provide all relief measures to those coming from un cleared areas said Minister Bathiudeen.
Rs 6.3 Mln for Flood Victims due to recent heavy showers:
----Minister Rishad
“There is an improvement in the present weather pattern. Yet, in the wake of prevailing bad weather condition, immediate arrangements have been made to provide relief through the respective GAs to victims affected by flood due to heavy showers experienced during the last few days,” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services.
According to the figures available, some18082 families comprising 76760 persons have been badly affected in Kalutara, Gampaha, Matara, Galle, and Puttalam Districts. An allocation of Rs 6.3Mln has already been made by the Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services to be given to the respective District Secretaries. Accordingly Rs.3 lakhs for Kalutara, Rs. 20 lakhs for Gampaha, Rs.10 lakhs for Matara, Rs.10 lakhs for Galle and Rs.20 lakhs for Puttalam District respectively has been given.
145 Families consisting of 542 persons have been affected due to floods in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Dodangoda, Walalaawita, Bulathsinhala, Bandaragama, Horana and Milleniya in Kalutara District. 14105 Families consisting of 61095 persons have been affected due to floods in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Aththanagalla, Gampaha, Katana, Negombo and Waththala in Gampaha District. 389 Families consisting of 1360 persons have been affected due to floods in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Multiyana, Akuressa, Thihagoda, Matara, Welipitiya, Kirinda, Dickwella and Devinuwara in Matara District. 690 Families consisting of 2790 persons have been affected due to floods in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Niyagama, Yakkalamulla and Karandeniya in Galle District. 2753 Families consisting of 10973 persons have been affected due to floods in the Divisional Secretariat areas of Karuwala gaswewa, Puttalam, and Mahawewa in Puttalam District.
“As a result of the rainy weather followed by floods, 16 houses have been completely damaged. 68 houses have been found to be partially damaged. Disaster Relief Center is closely monitoring the situation and is operational round the clock standing by to provide emergency relief during any unforeseen contingency”. Said Minister Bathiudeen. He further issued instructions to GAs to take immediate action to clear areas inundated with rain water by releasing the water in low lying areas if necessary making use of at least Back Hoe Machines.
27th October 2007 Marks the completion of 17years of Northern Muslims in Displacement
Speaking at a meeting held in Puttalam at Alankuda grounds, Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Resettlement & Disaster Relief Services stated that driving the Northern Muslims away from their home land, within a short notice, portrays the treatment meted out by the LTTE, although they claim to be fighting for the rights of the Minority Communities.
This meeting was organized by the Peace Secretariat for Northern Displaced Muslims to mark the 17 th anniversary of displacement of Muslims from their Northern homeland. A large crowd of more than 30,000 displaced Muslims gathered to witness this meeting.
The Muslims numbering more than 100,000 who were driven away from Mannar, Vavuniya, Killinochchi & Jaffna Districts in the North on this fateful day of 27 th October 1990 are presently languishing in welfare camps located in the Districts of Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Kurenagala etc.
Elaborating on this, Hon Minister said that 17 years hence, Muslims were forcibly evicted from the Northern homeland on this day, this function marks the completion of 17years of Northern Muslims in displacement. At that time, some Tamil families, who were also displaced managed to escape to India through the sea route, which was only a matter of sailing a distance of about 18Kms. Minister commented that “Nevertheless, due to love and attachment to our motherland placed by us, we chose to travel a distance of 75 Kms from our birth places in search of shelter for temporary settlement as IDPs in Puttalam”. “On this fateful day, I remember that, we were received very cordially by the natives of Puttalam and yet we are being treated with love, affection and understanding. Most of these displaced Muslims are in the welfare camps and today, they are facing hardships and difficulty due to inadequate infrastructure facilities such as Housing, Education and Health etc.” He further stated that neither any Local organization nor any International Organization have taken any interest to pay attention to these serious Human rights issues.It is the fervent desire of these displaced Muslims to get back to their homeland in the North and live in peace, dignity and honour. Nevertheless, so far we have not seen any thing moving in this respect. Therefore, our aspiration has become only a distant dream. We urge from all parties responsible to arrange for our safe return to our original homeland in the North and to ensure our safety & freedom in our birth places. Muslims do speak Tamil, therefore, there cannot be any difficulty in brotherhood & coexistence between the Tamils & the Muslims. The first step in the way to bring about lasting peace by promoting understanding between the Tamils & the Sinhalese will be to show the World about the unity between the Muslim and the Tamil communities. This unity between the two communities will be of paramount importance in the search for peace. I trust that Muslim-Tamil unity should prevail in the Northern Areas. Therefore, I once again wish to make a request to all responsible authorities to prepare a conducive environment for the displaced Muslims who are leading a life under trying conditions to return to their original places of birth.
Hon A.L.M. Athaullah, Minister of Water Supply & Drainage, Hon. Amir Ali, Minister of Disaster Relief Services, Hon. Hussain Bhaila, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Najeeb A. Majeed, Minister of Cooperatives, Representatives from the Peace Secretariat for Northern Displaced Muslims and host of Media personnel were present at this meeting.
The highlights of the fact finding mission on the Internally Displaced Northern Muslims of Sri Lanka-2007
In October 2007, a month long campaign to restore the rights of the ethnically cleansed Northern Muslims was launched. In pursuance of this a team of researchers set up a fact finding mission to investigate the current conditions, future needs and aspirations of displaced Muslims, living mainly in Puttalam district, and to highlights the above in order to find durable solutions to this problem. The fact finding mission attempted to answer the following questions: What prevents Northern Province Muslims to return homes? What impact has the 17 year long displacement made in the lives of the displaced?
Background:
Forcible Expulsion and inability to return home: Seventeen years ago, the LTTE forcibly evicited the Muslims of the Northern Province at gunpoint. Continuing war and conflict in the north and the absence of meaningful efforts to facilitate return has meant that the internal displacement of Northern Muslims has continued to present day. As a consequence, the probability of return en-masse in the near future is remote.
The impacts of 17 year of displacement: The northwestern coastal area of Puttalam district has been the temporary home of the majority of the Muslim displaced for the last 17 years. With an influx of nearly 100,000 displaced, the total population of this region doubled. Over the period, displaced Northern Muslims have moved from temporary shelters (for six months) to camp lives (for 6 years or more) and then to semi and permanent self-settlements. While about half of Puttalam displaced do not own any land, the rest are confined to a standard land piece which is commonly 10 perches. The quality and quantity of relief and rehabilitation assistance to Puttalam IDPs had declined over a period. The changes in the strategies in assisting the Puttalam displaced has forced the displaced seek alternative income sources which have created stiff economic competition and tension between displaced and host communities in the above areas. The tensions between these two communities have further spread in to larger social, educational and political spheres as well.
The condition of the places of origin: About 5 percent of evicted Muslims returned home to the government controlled areas of the north. Movable and immovable properties and other social and cultural interests left behind in the north by Muslims after Eviction have now been either taken by others or have been abandoned. The 2002 Peace Talks did not make any significant break-through especially concerning the return of Muslim displaced to their original places. For Northern Muslims, the strong bond that Northern Muslims and the majority Northern Tamils had prior to eviction continues to provide string hopes for the possibility of future return to their homes.
Finding on the needs and aspirations of northern Muslims October opinion survey reveals that the Northern Muslims want 1. To secure and stabilize their lives during this prolonged displacement 2.To seek assistance to protect assets and properties in their place of origin, 3.The recognition of their right to return and the facilitation of return when the time is appropriate.
Key words:
- Secure and stabilize lives during displacement
- Protect assets and properties in the place of origin
- Recognize right to return and
- Facilitate return when appropriate
Details of the fact finding (during displacement) reasons to secure and stabilize lives during displacement. There is little indication of an end to current displacement. The last seventeen has created profound uncertainly about the future. Unless the war ends and the conflicting parties reach consensus on ethnic question, the possibility of the return of all Northern Muslims is remote. To date, those representing Tamil nationalism (e.g., LTTE) have not spelled out their stand on the right to return of expelled Muslims.
However, the displaced cannot continue to live in uncertainty forever. They were faced with many problems. One of the major problems has been the possibility of suitable dwelling places. Nearly half of the displaced do not possess their own land for living and continue to live in camp-style settlements. Those who do own land are restricted to land 10 perches or under. One premise of 10 perches may contain many families, including parents, married children and their children. Population has continued to grow in these displaced settlements through natural growth and in-migration. At the same time, displaced people are faced with economic problems. Jobs are not available for men and whatever available jobs there are for women in cash-cropping vegetables gardens are for very low wages. Local schools are overcrowded and faced with shortage of educational, physical and human resources. While the children of both communities (displaced and host) faced immense hardships, the quality of education of children of those schools has continued to decline. In addition, displaced people are faced with social, psychological and cultural problems. Women and children were affected most by these. Naturally, displaced people feel these negative trends must be arrested. Thus, they wish to secure and stabilize their lives in the place of displacement until they return home or find alternatives to return.
Challenges faced by displaced in the place of displacement:
Shrinking employment opportunities is one of most important challenges that are faced by IDPs and the host community together in Puttalam. Similarly, the non-availability of land for housing and economic activities, limited public services such as medical, educational, transport are also major challenges for both. This is exacerbated by the fact that both populations are concentrated in the most limited resource area of the north western coastal areas of Puttalam. The above issues naturally invite tensions and confrontation between IDPs and host community in Puttalam so far, the friction have not escalated to dangerous levels, but unless the larger issues are addressed and arrested the possibility of higher level of tension and conflict seem likely.
How these problems should be addressed: In order to prevent further aggravation in the present situation, there is an urgent need for development initiatives in the area where the IDPs are living. The local community and the IDPs shared not only physical space but also religious and cultural space in the region. So far, both communities have found ways of accommodating each other. This relationship could be further strengthened if the increasing tensions between these two communities over the use of the limited resources and over the employment opportunities are minimized through proper economic development initiatives.
Details on the aspect of return to the place of origin:
Protection: The right to return to northern homes is the inalienable right of displaced Muslims. The assurance of future protection will make future return for displaced people more possible. At the same time, the places of origin of the Northern Muslims which had been abandoned foe nearly 17 years will have to be prepared for the return of displaced upon their decision to return.
Challenges in the place of origin: Long term abandonment has taken its toll on Northern Muslims former homes and environments. Thus, these places of origin require considerable preparation and development before return can be affected. Moreover, the social fabric of the north has also change in the last 17 years. Younger generation of the northern Tamils have no memories or experiences of the formally multi-ethnic northern communities where Tamil and Muslims co-existed peacefully for hundreds of years. There should be attempts to revive such memories and undertake initiatives to promote the renewal of relationship between Tamil and Muslims.
The way to address to these problems: The protection and preservation of the assets and the properties of Northern Muslims, the restoration of political, economical, social and cultural rights and the re-establishment of Tamil-Muslim relationships are some of the steps that should be taken to ensure the smooth return of Northern Muslims.
Durable Solution: The inability of Northern Muslims to return to their former homes is a national not local problem and most be solved as such. It is not advisable to find permanent solution for them in the resource of poor northwestern Puttalam district. Therefore, the problem of the Muslim refugees has to be considered as a national problem and a durable solution has to be found in consultation with all parties concerned.
In this respect, an effective resolution must be discussed and politically in a broder arena that includes displaced Muslims and parties to the conflict
(Courtesy:-Muslim Guardian)
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