Vanni Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) allowed to resettle in some areas in Ki’linochchi and Mannaar districts are being subjected to severe restrictions and harassment by occupying Sri Lanka Army (SLA), sources close Jaffna Bishop’s House said. This information was gathered from the group of Catholic Bishops of six districts who visited the said areas in Ki’linochchi and Mannaar recently, the sources said. The Bishops, however, are reluctant to officially disclose this situation in Vanni due to fear, the sources added.
Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundaranayagam, Jaffna Bishop, Rt. Rev. Harold Antony Perera, Kurunagala Bishop, Rt. Rev. Vincent Fernando, Badulla Bishop, Rt. Rev. Clister Perera, Ratnapura Bishop, Rt. Rev. Valence Mendis, Chilaw Bishop, Rt. Rev. Antony Victor Soosai, Mannaar Bishop were the members of the group that visited Vanni recently.
The group was accompanied by representatives of various non-government organizations including Human Development Centre (HUDEC).
The resettled IDPs live surrounded by military, robbed of their freedom of expression and free movement, the sources said. They are not allowed to get out of their dwellings in the nights, they added.
Meanwhile, Ki’linochchi Government Agent, probably due to government pressure, says that all the IDPs of Ki’linochchi have been allowed to settle in their properties.
Travel through A9 road is the only thing allowed through Ki’linochchi while there are only around 10 retail shops of Muliti-purpose Co-operative Society in Ki’linochchi, the sources said.
Meanwhile, urgent relief goods including solar powered electric lamps were distributed to the IDPs lodged in Ki’linochchi Ira’nai Maathaa Church with CORD financial aid under the guidance of HUDEC.
The resettled IDPs in Vanni are in great need of assistance urgently, the sources added.
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