Refugees reject EPDP minister's request to return to Allaipiddy

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 07 June 2006, 17:08 GMT]
Allaipiddy refugees who are currently being given shelter in St. Marys Church and St. Nicholas Church at Navanthurai rejected request by Sri Lanka Government Minister Douglas Devananda, the leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), to return back to their homes in Allaipiddy, sources in Jaffna said. Mr Devananda, heavily escorted by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers, visited the refugees Wednesday. Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and EPDP cadres are alleged to be responsible for the extra-judicial killing of 9 persons including an infant and a four year child on the 13th of May 2006 in Allaipiddy.

The Allaipiddy refugees pointed out to the Minister that the same SLN troopers and EPDP cadres who killed their relatives still remain in Allaipiddy, and Kayts Magistrate Mr Trotsky had blamed the Police for trying to cover-up the investigations launched by Sri Lanka Government, sources added.

When the refugees said that they have no security for their lives as long as the killers remain in Allaipiddy, the minister offered to guarantee for their safety, but the people again maintained their stand that they will not return to their villages until the SLN troopers and the EPDP paramilitary cadres are removed from the islets of Jaffna which are under their total control, said the sources.

The minister then offered to pay compensation of 10.000 rupees per refugee. However, none of the refugees wanted to resettle, the sources said.

Douglas Devananda after visiting Allaipiddy Wednesday said in a press release that the Allaipiddy refugees had consented to resettle in their villages on his assurance to them of their safety in Allaipiddy, said the sources.

He also said that the refugees had requested for facilities necessary for their resettlement and he had promised them he would order basic facilities to be provided immediately and other facilities gradually, said the press release.