Resettlement to accelerate when UN ‘Mine Free’ certification received...!!!

Resettlement to accelerate when UN ‘Mine Free’ certification received....by Franklin R. Satyapalan

The Government will speedily resettle IDPs soon as it receives the UN ‘Mine Free’ certification. It has decided that 3,000 families would be resettled in the 35 GS divisions in Vavuniya North on August 7, Presidential Secretariat sources said yesterday.

This follows a Presidential directive to accelerate the resettlement process within the ‘180-day Uthuru Vasanthaya’ Programme, Senior Presidential advisor and Head of the Presidential Task Force MP Basil Rajapaksa told a meeting at the SF HQ in Vavuniya recently.

Also present were Governor of the Northern Province Maj. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri, Vanni SF Commander Major General Kamal Guneratna, DIG North Nimal Lewke, District Secretary (GA) Vavuniya Mrs P. S. M. Charles, Presidential Advisor and Secretary to the Presidential Task Force S. B. Divaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Nation Building W. K. K. Kumarasiri and other Heads of Department and officials of Public Institutions.

Funds were released for reconstruction of highways, access roads to the A-9 and internal roads, repairs to and development of minor tanks and the supply of electricity to all the 35 GS Divisions.

It was decided that each family would receive a resettlement allowance of Rs 25,000, galvanized roofing sheets, kitchen utensils and dry rations sufficient to last six months.

Each family would be given agricultural implement and a subsidy of Rs 4,000 per acre for tilling fallow lands, seed paddy and a fertilizer subsidy.


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