Vakarai resettlement begins

Irangika Range

VAKARAI: The Government will commence the resettlement of 4,000 families of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in their original places in Vakarai today providing a proper security.

They have been living in displaced camps for the last five months due to LTTE atrocities. Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Risath Bathiyutheen told the Daily News the Ministry's sub office has been set up at the Batticaloa Kachcheri.

The Minister said electricity has already been provided to the area while road reconstruction and rehabilitation are going on in Vakarai for the benefit of resettled families. All infrastructure facilities are being developed in the area further confirming the security situation by Security Forces.

He said a special task force has been appointed representing Ministries officials, Grama Sevaka Officials, Divisional Secretaries and the District Secretary to collect accurate figures on full and half damaged houses.

The final report will be submitted in the near future and we expect to provide financial assistance for reconstructing damaged houses.

A special identity card system has been introduced by the Police for the identification of resettled persons. The Minister said with the liberation of the Vakarai from the clutches of the LTTE by the Armed Forces, they will be resettled with immediate effect.