Madhu refugees to return home

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 May 1999, 16:06 GMT]
Deputy Minister of Defence Anurudha Ratwatte today ordered the Government officials in Vavuniya and Mannar to send back the refugees in Madhu area to their own places which have been brought under the SLA control.

This order was issued at a top level meeting held in Vavuniya at the Vanni Army Headquarters this morning.

He instructed that the resettlement should take place before the end of this month.

Service Chiefs, Major General Balagalle, K.Ganesh - Government Agent Vavuniya, C.S.Croos - Government Agent Mannar, and top officials of the Department of Irrigation, Ceylon Electricity Board, Telecom, Road Development Authority and other key officials participated in the meeting.

He asked the officials to ensure that the reconstruction and other works should be finished before the Madhu Feast which falls on July 2 and August 15.

Telecommunication sources said that the Minister had ordered to provide four more telephone lines to Madhu area. At present there is only one line to the Church Parish Priest.

Officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board said that two generators have been provided to Madhu area and arrangements are underway to provide main electric supply within two weeks.