SINHALA MINISTER ASSURED TAMIL IDPs FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT!!! CAN WE BELIEVE HIM???

IDP camps now under Resettlement Ministry

No clear headcount in Safe Zone: Minister

By Jamila Najmuddin

The UN was maintaining that there had been between 100,000 to 250,000 civilians trapped in the ‘No Fire Zone’ in the Wanni region but the government maintains that the figure was less than 70,000.

Meanwhile the government said yesterday that the IDP camps in Vavuniya were now under the management of the Resettlement Ministry.

The camps were earlier managed by the army.

Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasingha said the figures could not be discussed as there was no clear head count of the people in the safe zone.

When queried whether the numbers were close to those figures released by the UN, Mr. Samarasingha said the government did not want to comment on the issue as specific figures were difficult to obtain.

“It is best if the government do not release any figures as there is no head count. Despite various figures released, we cannot confirm any numbers,” Minister Samarasingha told Daily Mirror.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press briefing yesterday, Minister Samarasingha assured that freedom of movement for the civilians residing in the camps in Vavuniya would improve once the registration process of the civilians was completed and the civilians were issued National Identity Cards.

A registration process was currently in progress in the north where civilians were requested to fill out forms in order to obtain NICs.

“Freedom of Movement for the civilians is currently limited as these people have to be protected. However, once the registration process is completed I can assure you that this will improve,” Minister Samarasingha said.

For the elderly civilian population, permission has been granted by the government to live with their kith and kin. However, Minister Samarasingha said the civilians were granted permission to move out of the camps only when it was proved that the people were their actual kith and kin.

For those elderly civilians who have no family, the government has set up two elders’ homes in Mannar – the first being in a Hindu temple and the second being in a church.

Mr. Samarasingha said permission was granted by the respective religious leaders to allow the elderly civilians to reside in the places of worship.

The civilians will be residing in the newly established elders homes till such time the resettlement process begins, the Minister added.
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