PTF imposes restrictions on local NGOs in Jaffna

Sri Lanka government which allows only a few Non-government Organizations (NGO) to serve in Vanni, now imposes restrictions on NGOs serving in Jaffna too through its Presidential Task Force (PTF), headed by Basil Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Minister and brother of SL President Mahinda Rajapaksa, NGO circles in Jaffna said. It is alleged that PTF favours the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the allocation of housing constructions for more than 15,000 uprooted civilians from Vanni staying in temporary dwellings in Jaffna.

PTF now insists on local NGOs to submit work proposals to construct the permanent houses for the Vanni civilians and purposely cause delays in handling and accepting the proposals, according to local NGO representatives.

Local NGOs also accuse PTF of permitting IOM to construct houses contrary to conditions laid down and accepted by all NGOs in the presence of UNHCR officials.

The norms require that permanent houses for uprooted civilians should be constructed on 240 sq.ft at an estimated cost of 108,000 rupees while IOM says that it is prepared to build the houses on 200 sq.ft at a cost of 60,000 rupees, the NGOs said.

It is alleged that PTF head Basil Rajapaksa favours IOM swindling the funds donated by foreign countries for the construction of permanent houses for the uprooted Vanni civilians.

The poor quality houses constructed by IOM with already used materials in Tho’ndaimaanaa’rau have been abandoned by the people who were settled in them, the NGO circles said.

Jaffna peninsula which has many needs to be met immediately is very much neglected by Sri Lanka government and its ministers, they further said.

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