Ma'nmunai IDPs to be relocated

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 June 2007, 01:25 GMT]
People displaced due to clashes in February between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Vavu'natheevu in Batticaloa district are to be relocated under the Stage 3 rehabilitation scheme, from June 15 to 21, according to a decision made at a meeting held at Ma'nmunai west Regional Secretariat Tuesday, presided by Batticaloa Additional Government Agent, K. Mahesan, sources in Batticaloa said.

Ma'numunai west Regional Secretary, K. Vimalanathan, Rehabilitation Planning Director, K. Sivanathan, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Co-ordinating Officer, Maj. Bertie Perera, and Special Task Force (STF) officers participated in this meeting.

Providing internal infrastructure, re-activating government departments, and establishing time schedule for the relocation of internally displaced people were explored in this meeting.

31,047 persons belonging to 8,029 families have been displaced from Ma'nmunai west.

Meanwhile, Ms. Santhidevi Pavalakanthan, Zonal Director of Education, Paddiruppu in Batticaloa, said that all 27 schools in Vellaave'li Educational Zone which had been closed during the last few months, are functioning from May 14 with the relocation of the displaced people.

A special scheme of teaching to compensate for the loss in learning is being prepared and arrangements to recommence educational activities for the relocated students are underway, she added.

Action is being taken to procure teaching and learning requirements through government and non-government organizations, the Director said.

Besides, the Milk collecting centre at Koayil Poaratheevu in Batticaloa district had begun to function again and milk purchasing from producers has been resumed, sources said.