80,500 displaced Tamils yet to be resettled
April 12, 2010 07:49 am
Nearly 80,500 displaced Tamils still remain in the Vayunia
relief camp, even as the Sri Lankan government has stepped up efforts to
rehabilitate them.
According to the latest statistics over 193,607 Internally
Displaced Persons have been resettled and nearly 80, 500 people are remaining
in the Welfare Camps in Cheddikulam, Vavuniya.
More than 28,000 people are moving out of the welfare centre
on permission for their personal requirements and visiting relatives.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Army is planning a grand event for
them in the Northern welfare camps in connection with the Sinhala and Tamil New
Year which falls next week.
A number of New Year events are being organised all over the
A mega ‘Avurudu’ (new beginning) festival is being organised
for these displaced 25,922 families temporarily living in the Cheddikulam
Welfare centres, under the directions of Wanni Security Forces Commander and
Competent Authority for IDP Welfare Major General Kamal Gunaratne. It is on the
given authority by the Army Chief Lt Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, the army said in a
statement.
The Army is organising this New Year festival and the
cultural and musical show with focus on the displaced people who are waiting to
be resettled in their original villages, N K Wadugodapitiya, Coordinating
Officer of the Office of the Competent Authority said explaining the
arrangements of the show.
“It is ‘Avurudu’ again, resembling new life, a new
beginning. And most importantly to a special group of Sri Lankans who now
re-organising their lives in the rebuilding North of Sri Lanka,” the army said
in a statement.
“For them this is the first ever new year which they are
entirely free to enjoy.
For them peace is
restored in their lives never to be taken away and prosperity is reaching them
slowly but steadily.
This Sinhala - Tamil New Year truly means something for
their lives,” the army said.
“Most importantly those who saved this piece of land, the
Sri Lanka Army still continues their efforts to bring the lost happiness back
to these men, women and children of the resettled village,” it said.
Living the life does not mean just owning a house or earning money, the Sri Lankan army said in a statement adding it is more of enjoying the happiness and beauty of life and sharing.
NDTV
