Sri Lanka: Priority number 1, 2, & 3 of the Government - IDPs

"The priority number one, two and three of the Government is to make sure the IDP's situation is taken and focused on" stated the Government Defence Spokesman Hon. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at a media briefing held at the Media Centre for National Security premises this morning (30).

The Government has managed to accomplish all the goals that they set out to achieve by eradicating the cancer of terrorism from the country. He held that the Government forces have not only destroyed the military power of the LTTE but also the infrastructure of the LTTE. Over billions of dollars worth equipment that the LTTE smuggled in to wreck havoc in the country were destroyed by the troops. Now the primary focus of the Government is to ensure that the lives of our brothers and sisters of the North are back normal. Speaking further Hon Minister stated that the Government has a massive task ahead in respect of the internally displaced civilians'. There are many aspects that the Government has to consider apart from reinstatement; they must ensure that these civilians are counseled, morality should be rebuilt, children should be provided education, families should be bought together and their livelihoods should be established so that these civilians would not be a burden to the country. He stressed that if these objectives are not fulfilled it will leave an unconsidered corner in the humanitarian mission thereby tarnishing the success of the troops.

There are nearly 300000 people who were displaced during the operation against terror; out of these nearly 68000 are children. The Government is now working to ensure that the educational needs of these children are met. Further more a large amount is spent for the welfare of these people. This is a sensitive problem and needs immediate addressing. He stated that trying to make political mileage out of this is pathetic. Many cynical political opinions point out that the Government now after the end of war should address political issues such as the 13th amendment. However Defence Spokesman stressed that one must first ensure that the people whose lives were disrupted during the 3 decade plague of terrorism in the North are bought back to normal and their livelihoods re-established.