IDP camps in Jaffna to be closed, retaining Thenmarraadchi camps

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 November 2009, 16:22 GMT]
Sri Lanka government has decided to close the Jaffna camps in which Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are detained while retaining Kodikaamam and Mirusuvil camps in Thenmaraadchi, Jaffna Secretariat sources said. According to this plan 68 persons from Mullaiththeevu and Ki’linochchi districts who had no relatives to take responsibility of them were transferred to Thenmaraadchi camps Wednesday from Koappaay Teachers’ College, the sources added.

The government intends to detain the IDPs from Mullaiththeevu and Ki’linochchi districts in Kodikaam Raamaavil and Mirusuvil camps in Thenmaraadchi permanently.

Meanwhile, the IDP camp in Koappaay Teachers’ Training College was closed and 248 persons staying in the camp were sent in buses Wednesday to Vavuniyaa and Batticaloa districts.

SLA officers and Jaffna Government Agent took part in the event sending off the IDPs in buses to their home districts.

Koappaay camp is being closed to vacate the buildings occupied by the IDPs as many teacher trainees are expected from Batticaloa and other places to follow training course in Janauary.

Of the total 352 IDPs from Mullaiththeevu and Ki’linochchi districts staying in Koappaay camp 284 persons had been identified by their relatives in Jaffna and taken responsibility of them.

The IDP camp housed in Kurunakar had already been closed.