Demining to expedite resettlement of IDPs

To expedite the resettlement of the Northern displaced people, the Army has commenced mopping up operations in the area to search for explosives, weapons and anti personnel mines buried in the North, the Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Risath Bathiudeen said.

Minister Bathiudeen expressed confidence that soon after removing the antipersonnel mines and other dangerous explosives, the IDPs would be resettled in their own habitats.

According to Ministry sources, the Japanese government has given a grant of US $ 1.4 million for demining activities in the North.

"We are progressing well in looking after a massive crowd of IDPs", he said.According to the Ministry sources there are five zones in Vavuniya district where the IDPs are housed in 22 welfare centres. Read more ...