Freedom of Movement for all IDPs from December
All welfare centres will be named as freedom villages
with effect from 1st of December 2009, announced Senior Presidential
Advisor and Chief of the President's Task Force for Rehabilitation and
Resettlement, Basil Rajapaksa, MP, who visited Vavuniya welfare centres
this morning (21).
Thus all Internally Displaced People (IDP) will have
total freedom of movement from 1st of December.
This official announcement was made amidst applauds
from the IDPs.
The decision was taken as part of government moves to
improve the rights and privileges of Internally Displaced People housed
at welfare villages in the North.
Secondly, Mr. Basil Rajapaksa announced that under the
instructions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, all IDPs will be resettled
by 31 January 2010.
Thirdly, the current Rs. 25,000 provided to IDPs will
be doubled to Rs. 50,000 with effect from 15 December 2009.
In addition, the government will provide the IDPs with
dry rations sufficient for 6 months, roofing sheets, kitchen utensils,
agricultural equipments and other essential items to facilitate a smooth
transition during resettlement.
Courtesy : Presidential Media Unit |
