SIHRN identifies 11 projects for immediate implementation in NE

[TamilNet, Thursday, 16 January 2003, 10:31 GMT]
Mr.Yasushi Akashi, special peace envoy of the Government of Japan and Ms Mieko Nishimizu, World Bank Vice President for South Asia participated at the second day meeting of the Sub Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs in the North and East (SIHRN) held Thursday at Killinochchi. Eleven projects have been identified for immediate implementation in the north and east at the SIHRN meeting after eleven hour discussion, said a press release issued at the conclusion of the meeting.

The press release follows: -

The third meeting of the SIHRN took place at Killinochchi on January 15 and 16 at the new premises of the SIHRN secretariat.

The SIHRN had discussion for more than 11 hours in a constructive and pragmatic spirit.

Mr Bernard Goonatilake headed the government delegation while Mr.Thamilsevan led the LTTE delegation. Ambassador Mr.Jon Westborg facilitated the meeting on behalf of the Norwegian government. A lunch was held on 16 January with Vice President of the World Bank Ms Mieko Nishimizu and other officials. The SIHRN warmly welcomed Mr.Yasushi Akashi as principal advisor to the Sub-Committee.

In its deliberations SIHRN stressed the urgent need for humanitarian improvement for the people in the northeast and decided on the following project concepts for urgent implementation:

1.Reconstruction of the road between Mullaitivu-Mankulam-Vellankulam.

2.Construction of Ice Plant in Thirukovil and Sainthamaruthu, Amparai district, one in Jaffna district and also in Mullaitivu district.

3. Renovation of paddy storage facility in Mannar district.

4. Milk chilling and processing facility in Killinochchi district.

5.Skill and capacity development in Mullaitivu, Amparai and Mannar districts.

6.Center for treatment of women with psychiatric disorders (Killinochchi).

7.Resettlement and rehabilitation of IDPs in all districts.

8.Intensive care unit in Killinochchi.

9.Improvement of Mullaitivu hospital.

10.Rehabilitation of Pottuvil hospital in Amparai district.

11.Irrigation projects in Kuchchaveli, Trincomalee district. Kalmadu, Vavuniya district, Cheddikulam, Vavuniya district, Kiran in Batticaloa district.

In order to speed up the project proposal procedure and to ensure high quality of the projects SIHRN agreed to “Guidelines for the Selection of Projects to be funded by North East Rehabilitation Fund in the North and East of Sri Lanka.”

SIHRN recognized that resettlement of Muslims to their homes in North and East must be done in a structured manner. The head of the LTTE delegation reiterated the organization’s interest in and commitment to return of Muslim IDPs to their homes in the North. A concept paper and proposal for resettlement for this particular group of IDPs will be prepared for decision during the next meeting

The next meeting of the SIHRN will be held on 13 and 14 of February followed by a meeting on 6-7 March.

 

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