‘Resettlement process should speed up’

TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran

(October 13, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Resettlement is taking place at a snail’s pace. It is very, very slow, I must say. Today, I saw pictures in a Tamil daily depicting the plight of resettled Tamils in a village called Sannar in the Mannar district. In the name of resettlement, they have just been allowed to go back and put up a temporary shelter. The World Food Programme (WFP) continues to give these families food assistance. They might stop it later. The WFP gives them rations such as dhal, sugar, wheat flour and cooking oil.

In the resettled areas, they have basic concerns. Livelihood is the problem. We cannot call it proper resettlement.

They proposed to establish a mechanism to look into the resettlement issues and expedite the process. We were asked to nominate some names for it. We did it. However, nothing has been done so far. We have to raise this issue now with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

First, we will meet Minister Basil Rajapaksa and take up the issue. Then, we will raise our concerns.

Earlier, the TNA MPs in groups visited the selected areas in the North on a fact finding mission.

They later compiled a report and tabled it in the House. It was also placed before the public through the media later. There, the party has highlighted the kinds of problems confronting the people. Most of the houses in the former war torn area have been damaged partly or completely. The people’s biggest concern was a roof over their head. According to the report, returnees also have problems about resuming their agricultural activities. Most of them have lost their agricultural implements during the displaced period. Their agro-wells have been damaged.

The UNHCR gives each family with a cash grant of Rs.25, 000. Of this amount, Rs. 5000 is given directly and the rest deposited with a bank. Most people have used these monies to buy bicycles since transportation is a big problem for them. They also have problems with regard to the retrieving of their cattle roaming in the area now.

The TNA has also raised concerns about the establishment of military cantonments in the province. The party views that it is a threat to civilian life now.