“International assistance welcome” - Basil Rajapaksa (MP)

Last week saw quite an unprecedented spirit of jubilation and celebration among the people of Sri Lanka, at the conclusion of 30 years of bitter civil war. Enough of celebrations; now, it is time to roll up our sleeves and get back to work – the immediate task at hand is to resettle the 250,000 people who have been displaced in the North, and rebuild the infrastructure, social networks and civil administration in the areas. Spearheading the operation resettlement is Senior Presidential Advisor and MP Basil Rajapaksa. Having had the experience of vast displacement in the 2004 tsunami, and having successfully resettled the majority of the displaced in the Eastern Province, Rajapaksa is confident, that resettling the people in the North will not be a formidable challenge.

"I think, we have a good record in resettling those people. No other country can claim that kind of experience. Just like our brave security forces fought a record battle against terrorism – and being the only country to have done this type of thing – we also have a record in looking after these people and resettling them," he said in an interview with The Nation.

The only challenge he foresees in this monumental task is the extensive de-mining that has to be done, prior to rebuilding and resettling. In his message to the international community, in this crucial moment, he said, "If they are our genuine friends, then be our friends. We don't want 'monitors,' we need partners. Be our partners in this task to help our people." Read more ...