Final
Phase of Resettlement Completed in Jaffna
[Updated
:: 2011-07-04 16:30:15 Hours]
The last cluster of families displaced during the period of war
were resettled in their original homesteads in Vadamarachchi east
Sunday (03) completing the resettlement of IDPs (Internally Displaced
persons) in Jaffna peninsula.
At
the final phase, 1110 members of 297 families who had so far been
living at Ramavil IDP Welfare Centre in Kodikamam were resettled
in Pokkarappu, Kevil, Mulliyan and Vettalaikerny Grama Niladhari
Divisions belonging to Maruthankerni Divisional Secretariat. Those
civilians left their villages in January 2009 as the war against
terrorism turned intensified in the North.
During
the function held to hand back the lands to their owners, Hon. Minister
of Economic Development Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, the Chief Guest made
a special note of thanks to Commander Security Forces Jaffna (SF-J)
and the troops serving in the peninsula for their commendable role
played to make resettlement in Jaffna a reality. At request made
by the Government Agent Jaffna Mrs. Emelda Sukumar for possible
arrangements for early resettlement in Jaffna Peninsula, Security
Forces Headquarters – Jaffna mobilized additional Army Engineer
troops to assist foreign de-mining agencies in their humanitarian
de-mining campaign. With directives of Commander SF-J, the Vettalaikerny-based
55 Division of the Army completed permanent houses for ten poor
families in Kevil of Pokkarappu Grama Niladhari area and they were
handed over to recipients on the same occasion. Houses for others
too will be constructed by the army. The government has taken all
measures to develop necessary infrastructure for resettled. Hospitals,
co-operative shops, schools including public transport facilities
are already made available for the newly resettled families.
Hon.
Minister and other distinguished invitees distributed domestic items
among civilians as a helping hand to commence their living.
A
new bus service from Maruthankerny to Point Pedro via Nagar Kovil
started facilitating transport for the newly resettled. This route
remained closed for civilians due to threat of land mines and UXOs
(Unexploded Ordnance). A cooperative shop was also declared open
at Kevil on the same day.
Hon. Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development
Mr. Douglas Devananda, Governor Northern Province Maj. Gen.(Retd)
G.A. Chandrasiri, Commander SF-J Maj. Gen. Mahinda Hathurusinghe
and a large gathering of government officials and civilians attended
the function.
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