129 families resettled in Omanthai area

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 June 2003, 05:57 GMT]
Vavuniya Government Agent K. Ganesh said Friday at a meeting held in Vavuniya Secreatariat that in three villages adjoining the High Security Zone in Omanthai area 129 families have been resettled, according to Secretariat officials.

The meeting was convened to discuss issues related to mine clearing operation in Vavuniya district. Representatives of International Voluntary Organizations, Officers of the mine clearing group of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), Vavuniya Chettikulam area head of the Political section of the Liberation Tigers, S. Elilan and representatives of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) participated in the meeting, sources said.

The GA stressed the need for swift and comprehensive clearing of mines from marked areas to ensure a safe environment for the returning resettlers.

Sri Lanka Army is giving permission for resettlement in villages that are more than 600 meters away from Omanthai HSZ perimeter, security sources said.

The 129 families were resettled in Veppankulam, Omanthai and Arasa Murippu Kulam villages near the HSZ, security sources added.

Additional preparations are underway to resettle families in Maanikavalvu, Karuval Puliyankulam, Sithamparam and few other villages near the Omanthai HSZ, officials said.