Discussion on IDPs issue held in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 September 2004, 20:00 GMT]
A one-day discussion organized by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) on the problems of the internally displaced people was held on Monday in the auditorium of Jaffna district secretariat under the National Protection and Durable Solution for Internally Displaced Persons Project.

Representatives of several civil groups in Jaffna district complained at the discussion that no progress has been made regarding the removal of high security zones (HSZ) in the peninsula even after more than two and half years have passed since the signing of the ceasefire agreement by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The discussion centred on a report presented by a leading human rights activist Dr.Mario Gomez on the problem of HSZ and solution to IDPs' resettlement Dr.Mario Gomes made the introductory speech.

Civil groups' representatives further said the former government and the present government have appointed several committees to make recommendation regarding the question of the HSZ. But IDPs and civil groups are unaware of the outcome of those committees. No constructive relief has been provided by the Supreme Court, which has been hearing several fundamental rights violation applications of the IDPs. Representatives said.





Jaffna regional co-ordinator of the HCRSL Mr.Ruwan Chandrasekara, Human Rights Co-ordinator for IDPs Ms V.Velini, Legal Advisor of HCRSL MsVasuki Thevathasan, and Jaffna District Secretariat Planning Director Mr.P.Suntharampillai participated The Sri Lankan security establishment was represented by SLA Brigadier R.P.K.Ranaweera and Police Superintendent D.S.R. Wanaguru and police officials.

Jaffna District NGOs' Consortium President Mr.S.Sakthivel and Secretary Mr. S.Paramanathan and university Professors and education officials were the participants of the discussion, sources said.

A report based on the recommendation made at the discussion regarding the HSZ issue is to be handed over by the HCRSL to the GOSL by the end of the year, organizers said.