The Government has a fully functioning mechanism to provide all the basic needs for the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in non liberated areas and for the civilians arriving in Vavuniya using the safe corridor established by the Government, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen said.

He said that with or without the mediation of the World Food Organization (WFO), the Government is capable of catering to the needs of civilians seeking protection from the Government. He pointed out that the LTTE was still trying to stop civilians from moving to liberated areas and continue to use civilians remaining in uncleared areas as a human shield against advancing troops.

Speaking at a media conference in Colombo today (15th) Minister Bathiyutheen noted that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed all the relevant parties to continue uninterrupted relief services to the Internally Displaced Persons in the region.

"Several Ministries, including the Ministries of Education, Health, and Nation Building have put in place adequate measures to address the needs of these people," the Minister said.

Accordingly IDPs in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts are been provided dry rations, health and sanitary facilities, water, and electricity.

The Minister also said that 51 lorries carrying 650 metric tons of essential items reached the area during the past week. In addition the Government will distribute 250 metric tons of essential items for the civilians living in Killinochchi and Mullaittivu District this week.

Minister Bathiyutheen said that 1300 IDPs living in temporary shelters in Musali in Mannar will be resettled once the de-mining process is completed.