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With the commencement of the LTTE ' Unceasing Wave III' operation, many families have been displaced in the Vadamarachchi East and Pallai areas of Jaffna, but almost fifteen welfare centres have been set up by the government to safeguard these families, Military sources said. It is reported that around 1674 families, comprising of about 5933 persons have been displaced in these areas of Jaffna. At least 975 families comprising of 3656 persons from Pallai pradeshiya sabha division and 699 families comprising of 2277 persons from Maruthankerni pradeshiya sabha division have so far been displaced, Jaffna Secretariat statistics confermed. Almost 600 displaced families are lodged in welfare centres, while 1104 families have found accommodation with relatives. Among the fifteen welfare centres that have been set up for the displaced, four are at Point Pedro, nine at Thenmarachchi and one each at Maruthankerni and Jaffna, sources said. Meanwhile, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, J.F.Dixon, Head of Office of the UNHCR Jaffna, in a recent letter to Major General Chula Seneviratne, Security Force Commander Jaffna, says that he and his staff had visited areas in Kilaly where they met the displaced persons, who confirmed that they had been permitted to move on, following a screening process. He also added that the diplaced persons had received dry rations and had not been intimidated in any way. Around 120 families have stayed back in the proximity of the Kilaly Army camp on their own accord. He had forwarded the request of the Security Forces Commander to the LTTE through the UNHCR office in Mallavi about indiscriminate shelling on to areas where civilians are, but so far had not received any response from the LTTE, Dixon said. The Ministry statement further added that the Security Force Commander, Jaffna, with the assistance of the District Secretary of Jaffna has arranged for the Divisional Secretary of Palaly and the Grama Sevakas of Masar, Soranpattu, Thambagamam, Vennankerny, Tharmakerny, Arsakerny and Mulliyadi to visit the families and find out whether they want to come out or stay in the area. 624 families opted to leave the area and 173 opted to stay. Security Force Commander has arranged transport to move the people out of the area with the assistance of the Divisional Secretary and Grama Sevakas. They will be moved out with their personal belongings to welfare centres set up by the government. This morning Security Force Commander Jaffna briefed the
NGO's who are located in Jaffna on the situation. The ICRC, UNHCR, UNDP,
Save the Children Fund and MSF took part in this discussion, Ministry
sources said.
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