Normality returning to East - UN Humanitarian Chief

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: Wrapping up his four day observation mission in Sri Lanka, the visiting UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Sir John Holmes said he could see normality returning to the lives of the people in the East.

Holmes who arrived in Colombo on Monday, toured Vakarai and Batticaloa to observe the resettlement activities on Wednesday following a visit to Jaffna to assess the humanitarian situation, the day before.

Addressing reporters at a joint press conference with Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, the UN Under Secretary said the international community would be happy to help the Government to develop the East.

"There is clearly an opportunity to restore normal life and re-develop and rebuild the area."

He, however, classified disarming of Karuna faction, restoration of livelihoods and transferring the military administration to civil rule as issues needing urgent attention in the East.

Holmes shared his impressions on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka with President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He briefed the President on his visit to Batticaloa and VaKarai in eastern Sri Lanka, where UN agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assist some 103,000 people who have returned to their homes in areas taken by the Government.

Holmes stressed the importance of continued and unimpeded access of humanitarian agencies to areas of eastern and northern Sri Lanka, and improved protection of civilians affected by the conflict. He also welcomed an assurance about the planned disarmament of paramilitary groups in the East.

"It is vital to develop a strong partnership between the Government and humanitarian actors to better assist those most affected by the conflict," said Holmes, commenting on his three-day visit to the country.

"If humanitarian workers are better able to do their job, international support for recovery and normalisation in eastern Sri Lanka will become much more likely," he added. UN and NGO humanitarian projects in the Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Sri Lanka amount to $120 million in 2007.

The need for a quick resolution of the ongoing investigations into the killings of humanitarian workers, particularly those of the 17 staff of the French NGO, Action contre la Faim (ACF), was agreed upon.

Holmes said they wanted to maintain constructive and a positive relationship between the UN and the State. Among the issues he has raised were free access to humanitarian workers, transparency in handling civil rights abuse cases and a speedy investigation into the killing of aid workers in Muttur.

The visit had helped him acquaint himself with some humanitarian concerns and take them up promptly with the local authorities and the President.

Responding to queries the envoy said it was vital to ensure safety of the aid workers although their job is not considered the safest profession in the world.

Refuting claims of obstructing representatives of certain aid groups from meeting the UN envoy in Jaffna, Holmes said his tight schedule prevented him from meeting all.

The UN envoy, here to get a first hand account of the humanitarian situation in the North and East, was flown to Jaffna and Batticaloa.

Commending the efforts the Government has taken to facilitate his mission here holmes said, "Let me thank for the efforts they have taken to facilitate my visit here...., the Government had been extremely helpful." He also attended the monthly meeting of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Affairs (CCHA) at the Defence Ministry on Tuesday.

The CCHA is an apex body which brings together all State and non- Governmental stakeholders and representatives of the Co-chairs to discuss the humanitarian assistance to the North and East. This mechanism was established on a proposal by the Tokyo co-chairs.

The UN envoy observed there were high security measures in place in Jaffna but acknowledged it was for obvious reasons.

"I can't disagree with the Government," he said. He, however, pointed out that the lack of essential items such as building materials was an impediment to ensure the speedy restoration of civilian life in the peninsula.

Responding to media queries, Minister Samarasinghe said the Government in principal agreed disarming of Karuna was necessary but it was not an easy job.

"It's not easy to do it. But we are in the process," the Minister said adding that a free and fair election requires the need for people to feel safe and be able to freely exercise their franchise.