IDPs to be resettled in Chengkaladi

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 October 2007, 01:27 GMT]
Nearly 9000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) belonging to 4349 families, displaced due to Sri Lanka Army (SLA) offensives, are to be resettled in 5 villages located along Chengkaladi-Badulla road, according to decision taken at an urgent meeting held at Batticaloa District Secretariat (DS) Wednesday, presided by Eastern Province Governor, Rear Admiral Mohan Wijewickrema, Batticaloa DS sources said.

The resettlement is to commence on 18 October when the IDPs will be settled in Koduvaamadu, Karadiyanaaru, Marappaalam, Veapavedduvaan Veli areas in Chengkaladi division in Ea'raavoor Pattu.

The resettlement will be carried out with the participation of the Government Agent, Divisional Secretaries and SLA officials.

Batticaloa Government Agent, S. Arumainayagam, Eastern Province SLA Commander Parakrama Pannipitiya, SLA Civil Commander, Bertie Perera, Senior Police Commissioner, H. M. P. Herath, STF Head, Ranjith Perera, Additional GA, K. Ganesh, Rehabilitation Director, K. Sivanathan, Project Director, R. Neduncheliyan and Departmental heads took part in this meeting.

Residents of the villages along Badulla road are presently staying in Welfare Camps in Ka'lvangkeani, Chavukkadi and Aiyangkeani, civil society sources said.

The IDPs are undergoing severe difficulties after they were forced to flee from their homes.