IDPs in Vavuniyaa camps cannot settle in Jaffna without SLA clearance

[TamilNet, Sunday, 04 October 2009, 16:06 GMT]
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Jaffna held in Vavuniyaa camps, on their release from the camps, cannot get back to Jaffna without obtaining the ‘clearance’ of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna, according to Jaffna Government Agent (GA), K. Ganesh. 30 expectant mothers and their families released from Vavuniyaa camps are from Jaffna and their particulars have been submitted to the SLA authorities in Jaffna, he further said. However, he did not say anything about their fate if SLA refuses permission for them to be brought to Jaffna, sources in Jaffna said.

Altogether 37 expectant women and their families are to be released from the SLA internment camps in Vavuniyaa and Jaffna GA had received the list of those from Jaffna district.

Though the Government had made much publicity about releasing the expectant women and their children their future hangs on the decision taken by Jaffna SLA, sources in Vavuniyaa said.

Meanwhile, 607 IDPs from the islets of Jaffna have been brought to the islets and handed over to Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) who hold them under their control in detainment centres.

Another batch of Islet IDPs are to be brought to the islets of Jaffna next week, the GA said.

IDPs from Vadamaraadchi North will be brought soon from Vavuniyaa camps, he further said.

The IDPs brought from Vavuniyaa and handed over to SLN continue to be detained though they were told they would be allowed to settle in their houses or with their relatives.