The Government of Sri Lanka has taken steps to resettle approximately 6,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) during the first two weeks of March 2010, in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, bringing down the total number of IDPs living in government-run welfare centres to 65,591. All IDPs have been given the option to return to their original villages or to relocate to areas of their choice. Those who wanted to remain in the welfare centres are permitted to stay at these centres. Almost 50% of the IDPs living in the Puttalam District for the last ten years have returned to their original places of habitat while the rest wished to remain. There are no restrictions on the movement of the IDPs and they are free to move out from the welfare centres or return. As at 8th March 2010, number of IDPs who returned to the welfare centres is 24,292.
De-mining in all areas of Mannar and Vavuniya is expected to be completed by early April, in time for crop production during the forthcoming cultivation season. It is expected that 183,000 acres of land will be cultivated for the 2010/11 season. A total of 897.4 square km has been cleared of mines in the districts of Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya during 01 January to 31 December 2009. A total of 64,961 Mine Risk Education (MRE) programmes have been conducted in 13 districts from 2002 to 2009, with the participation of 2,381,949 persons.
Approximately 95% of families who have returned to their places of origin have received the shelter grant of Rs.20,000 and equipment such as agricultural implements to re-start their livelihood activities. An agriculture loan of Rs.20,000 is provided by the Bank of Ceylon under the 'Wadakkin Wasantham' Programme. Water and sanitation facilities for those who have returned to their original locations are being supplied. Schools, health facilities, banks, postal and other services are functioning in the respective areas of return.
Approval is given to agencies to work in the North on a project by project basis by the Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the North (PTF).
In addition to the UN agencies, a total of 45 agencies are already carrying out work in the North of Sri Lanka of which 16 are INGOs and 29 are local NGOs.
Under the 2010 plan of the PTF the following is being implemented.
- Permanent housing for all displaced persons with water and sanitation facilities
- Repair of public buildings, schools, hospitals etc. with adequate staff and equipment
- Functioning irrigation for agriculture development
- Provincial and local level roads to be upgraded and repaired
- Electricity network to be completed
- Telecommunication services to be provided to all townships
- State banks to be established in all townships
- Livelihood support in agriculture, livestock, fishing, cottage industries
- public markets to be improved/re-established
Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Co-operatives, Rural Development Societies and other mutual benefit societies to be re-introduced.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the
United Nations
Geneva