205,983 persons left temporary camps, though only 112,957 returned to their places of origin! 91,834 & 1,192persons stay with relatives/instituitions!

Now, 24 hr health services available in once LTTE held land
By Shamindra Ferdinando

One year after the conclusion of war, people living in the Vanni, including areas devastated by some of the bloodiest fighting have access to 24-hour medical services, the government says. Contrary to reports, people can access five government hospitals at Kilinochchi, Mulankavil, Mannar, Talaimannar, Pesalai and Mallavi hospitals any time of the day.

Government sources told The Island that restoration of health facilities within a year of the final battle at major hospitals had been a tremendous achievement.

The army killed LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon last May.

The INGO community, in its latest joint humanitarian update, too, confirmed restoration of 24-hour medical facilities at six hospitals for the benefit of the war displaced. According to INGOs, during the day people can access government hospitals at Pallai, Pooneryn, Uruththirapuram, Veravil, Madhu, Adampan, Mankulam, Oddussudan, Nattankandal and Thunnukai.



They said that a dearth of medical personnel had prevented restoration of health services in the northern region.

Re-deployment of public health inspectors currently working at Menik Farm could bring relief to resettled internally displaced persons, they asserted.

By the second week of April the number of persons accommodated at temporary camps has been reduced to 82,531. Of them, 78,946 are in Vavuniya, 184 in Mannar and 3,400 in Jaffna. Sources said that 205,983 persons had left temporary camps, though only 112,957 returned to their places of origin. Sources said that 91,834 and 1,192 persons were staying with relatives and institutions respectively.

The government released 1,158 disabled LTTE cadres and 155 child combatants in the first week of April. Sources said that some of them had joined their families living at the Menik Farm, whereas the rest returned to their villages. Following the release of 155 children, the Poonthottam detention facility has been closed.

According to the joint humanitarian update, about 200,000 bicycles and mortorcycles as well as 600 water pumps abandoned during the final phase of the offensive would be distributed among the returnees.


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