SIHRN discusses resettlement, rehabilitation

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 15 January 2003, 16:18 GMT]
In the meeting of the Sub Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs (SIHRN) held Wednesday at Killinochchi, a decision was taken to appoint a twenty-one member committee to take steps regarding the resettlement of displaced in Jaffna peninsula, sources said.

Seven members from the Government of Sri Lanka, seven from the Liberation Tigers are to serve on the proposed committee and no decision has been taken about the rest seven of the proposed committee, sources said.

The SIHRN further decided to appoint district level committees to take necessary steps for resettlement of the displaced and their rehabilitation, sources said.

Mr.S.P.Thamilchelvan, Political Head of the LTTE, Mr.Pulithevan and several others participated on behalf of the LTTE. Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Mr Bernard Gunatilake and several members attended the meeting on behalf of the government. Norwegian Ambassador in Colombo Mr.Jon Westborg and the Secretary General of the Japanese Foreign Development Ministry also were present during the three-hour discussion of the SIHRN, sources said.

Special peace representative of the Japanese government Mr.Yasuka Akashi who is scheduled to arrive Colombo Wednesday night will participate in the second day meeting of the SIHRN scheduled to be held Thursday at Killinochchi. Mr.Meiko Nishimizu, World Bank Vice President for South Asia who is already in Colombo on a week long visit will participate in SIHRN meeting Thursday, sources said. WB vice president visit comes in the wake of a decision at last week's peace talks in Thailand for the World bank to act as a custodian of donor funds to rebuild the northeast, sources said.