UNHCR: SERIOUS CONCERN FOR TAMIL CIVILIAN IDPs!!!

Govt. rejects UNHCR allegation on Wanni people’s situation

By Jamila Najmuddin

The Government rejecting allegations levelled by the UNHCR that civilians in the Wanni are in a dire situation and held in government camps in Kalimoddai and Sirukandal has called upon the organization to submit proof to explain their findings.

Defence Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that civilians in the Wanni, in both the LTTE and government controlled areas are being looked after and continuous supplies of food, medicines, shelter materials and aid are being transported to the north every week.

Minister Rambukwella said that the Essential Services Commission who transported the items had not reported of any recent shortfalls and had in fact stocked ample food in the warehouses in Vavuniya. “There is absolutely no shortfall. Infact we have enough of food and aid for the civilians. The Essential Services Commission has been transporting the items without delay, therefore all what these international organizations say is not true,” Minister Rambukwella said.

He further thanked the Indian government for donating food, medicines, garments, aid and fresh water to the civilians in the north recently and said that the donated items had been distributed to the civilians by the ICRC.

The UNHCR on Wednesday expressed its increasing concern for Sri Lankan civilians in the northern Wanni region. The representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Walter Kälin said in a letter to the Sri Lankan Government that Sri Lanka’s continuing efforts to enable humanitarian convoys to reach the estimated 200,000-300,000 internally displaced persons in the region, but stressed that current supplies of food, medicine, emergency shelter and sanitation materials were inadequate to meet the severe and increasing needs of the displaced.

The Representative also called on the Government to significantly improve access for more humanitarian relief and humanitarian personnel to reach all civilians in need.

He also raised the situation of the civilians who had crossed from the Wanni into cleared areas and are now being held in camps at Kalimoddai and Sirukandal.

The Representative observed a legitimate need for screening of armed elements from the civilian population, but recalled that such screening must be concluded promptly and in accordance with clearly established and transparent criteria and procedures.

IDPs, who are civilians and who retain their right to freedom of movement, must not be detained in camps, he said.

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