“It is not a refugee camp if inmates are escaping from that in large numbers. Then it should be called a detention or internment camp. IDP families have freedom to move in and out from IDP camps which are established under international norms. It is not so in Vavuniyaa camps, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) parliamentarian Wijitha Herat, said at a press briefing held at JVP headquarters in Battaramulla in Colombo Wednesday to discuss matters about the plight of IDPs in Vavuniyaa camps.
Wijitha Herat further said at the briefing that the government has been saying that it could not resettle IDPs held in Vavuniyaa camps as their villages in Vanni region are not completely de-mined.
At that same the government is issuing statements to the effect that it has launched several development projects in Ki’linochchi, Mannaar, Jaffna and Vavuniyaa including restoration of electricity supply under the title “Northern Spring “(Vaddakkin Vasantham).
“How could the government launch development projects in areas which are still sown with mines. Hence the government’s stand on resettlement is contradictory,” he asked.
“My party accepts that there are some areas in Vanni infested with mines. But there are vast areas without mines. The government can resettle large numbers IDP families in these mine-free areas. The international community is trying to interfere in the internal affairs of our country under the pretext of safeguarding IDPs in Vavuniyaa. This would be possible once the northeast monsoon commences. Therefore the government should not give room for such interference,” Mr. Wijitha Herat said.
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