ICRC assumes new role in peaceful Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Saturday, 25 January 2003, 01:21 GMT]
Although the country has entered a transitional period towards normality as a result of the peace process, the ICRC will remain in Sri Lanka to implement long term projects in helping to solve 'missing cases' and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), said the Head of the ICRC, Trincomalee sub delegation, Ms Lina Milner at the first press conference of the ICRC in 2003 in Trincomalee Friday.

She further stated that the ICRC has commenced reducing its emergency mode activities and leaving it to other organizations to continue the process.

She tabled the fact sheet of the ICRC activities in the Trincomalee district from January to December 2002. Ms Filipa N.Marques, new head of the Batticaloa sub delegation of the ICRC, and Mr Askar Umarbeckov, new head of the Trincomalee sub delegation also participated and were introduced to the press by Lina Milner.

Ms.Milner further said: "The ICRC conducted fifteen sessions on International Human Law and its activities for 1545 officers and other personnel of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). Similar sessions were held for 516 police officers including 110 home guards. Seven LTTE military and political cadres were also briefed on International Humanitarian Law

"The ICRC has suspended its mobile medical clinics in eight remote villages in the LTTE head areas at the end of October last year because of the improved situation. Until October last year ICRC's mobile medical team provided curative care to 11,476 patients.

"The ICRC since 1988 has rehabilitated 81 open shallow wells in Trincomalee district with the assistance of the Australian Red Cross. Since March 2001 the ICRC directly funds the programme. The ICRC provides its neutral intermediary services for the implementation of the North East Irrigated Agricultural Project a World Bank funded programme. Under this programme, rehabilitation work in 13 tanks in 10 divisions in Trincomalee district are under implementation," concluded Ms Milner.

Mr.W.Sukumar Rockwood, ICRC spokesman, Mr.M.Pushparajan, Dissemination Officer and Mr.M.K.M.Shakeeb, Communication Officer were also present.

( L-R) Mr.Askar Umarbeckov, Mr.M.Pushparajan, Ms Filipa N. Marques, Mr.Sukumar Rockwood, Ms Lina Milner, and Mr.M.K.M.Shakeeb