Vavuniya youth demand removal of army from lands

A group of protesters from a Vavuniya Youth Organisation protested in front of the Kudiyiruppu Army Camp last week to demand the Government to immediately release their lands which are occupied for military requirements.

They claimed the army camps have invaded native lands of Tamils in the Vavuniya district and Northern Province.  Holding placards urging the Government to remove army camps located in Vavuniya, protesters alleged that even though one and half years had passed from coming to power, the Government had still been unable to meet the promises it made before the Tamil people. 

They further charged the state has misled Tamils by pledging unreachable targets and said they could not trust the Government.  They added the protest would be continued until the Government addresses their demand. (CG) 

31 IDP camps to be closed for resettlements

The Hindu newspaper has reported yesterday that the Government is planning to close down all 31 camps of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Jaffna district.

According to The Hindu the Government intention was to complete resettlement of 971 families by 15 August.  The Hindu further said 204 houses are being built in Palali and Kankesanthurai with the support of the Sri Lanka Army. Resettlement Minister D.M. Swaminathan asserts that there is no time frame to close down the camps, but said: “we are doing all what we can,” The Hindu reported.  President Maithripala Sirisena had directed relevant officials to work on resettlement of IDPs. The paper mentioned that President Sirisena has assured people that he would address their problems in six months. On Wednesday, the Cabinet sanctioned Rs. 971 million to build houses at a unit cost of Rs. 1 million. While 204 houses are expected to be ready in a few months, the identification of land is under way to take care of the requirements of the remaining 767 families. In addition, The Hindu added, President of the Vali North Rehabilitation and Resettlement Committee Arunachalam Kunabalasingham has pointed out a large number of the IDPs are from places such as Myladdy and there is a 12-km-long coastline still under the control of the security forces.  “Without returning the Myladdy fishing harbour and providing free access to the coastline, the Government will not be able to achieve much.” he has said.