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High Security Zones
Not a Phenomenon to Sri Lanka alone - Government Spokesman
The Sri Lankan government said it will have to maintain High Security
Zones (HSZ) and military installations in the north of the country until
the situation fully normalize.Government Spokesman Media Minister
Keheliya Rambukwella said that it is not a new phenomenon applicable
only to Sri Lanka. Every where in the world you find HSZ, you find
United States of America has military installations and HSZ in other
countries as well. "There is no point in establishing camps on land that
has no strategic value. Therefore we will have to maintain the security
installations where it matters" he said
With regard to post conflict situation in the north, he said, that
over 260,000 who came to the areas coming under the security forces have
been resettled. We have resettled all of them within a period of just
over one year. No where in the world this happened. Have the IDP s in
other countries been resettled? Minister queried.
Soon after the launch of humanitarian operations over 75000 people
became IDPs in the eastern province. When the Government started
resettlement processes under the 'Eastern Udanaya' some countries and
organizations opposed the process at the instigation of interested
groups. Even some of the INGOs and various international groups opposed
the resettlement process saying it should not be carried out in a harsh
manner. But the govt in defiance completed the process later it was
acclaimed by UN agencies as well.Government's resettlement process
necessitated relocation of some of the HSZ in the Northern Province.
Now the government maintains HSZ only in limited places and the
minister said that it would also be removed or minimized once the
situation returns to fully normalcy.The visit by President Mahinda
Rajapaksa to hold the Cabinet meeting at the once dreamland capital of
LTTE in Kilinochchi the President freely moved with the IDPs who have
been resettled there. According to military sources there are around one
hundred thousand people resettled in the aftermath of the war. According
to political sources it was clear message to the people embedded in the
war that the government considers them as the stake holders of one
nation.
Despite some interested groups including the Tamil Diaspora try to
misinterpret the situation the resettlement process with government
providing dray rations needed for six months appears to be a
psychological relief to those people in the north. A top military source
said that in-fact there shortcomings here and there, but as a whole the
populace in the north are quite happy now. Because, they have started
feeling that the military is doing something positive for them.
Courtesy : Government Information Department | 
