President Mahinda Rajapaksa is confident that the resettlement in the north could be completed within next few weeks. Majority of the IDPs have already been resettled at present. They have been provided with infrastructure facilities,common amenities with full security.
Rest of the IDPs will also be resettled soon after solving their housing problem. The President disclosed these facts at a discussion with UN Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes held in Colombo last evening. Holmes said Sri Lanka has taken maximum measures to establish lasting peace in the country.
The reopening of A-9 highway is significant and will lead to enhance the freedom of the country and mutual harmony among all ethnic groups. He assured the President that UN would provide utmost support to the resettlement process in the north. The UN envoy praised the government for its timely efforts taken for the welfare of the IDPs.
He also expresses hopes that the resettlement process can be completed by the government within the scheduled time frame. He pledged further aid for the benefit of families resettled in cleared areas and the families still living in welfare villages. Accordingly, a stock of tents and food items will be provided. UN Country Representative Neil Bhune, several ministers and government officials participated at the meeting.