Presidential team in the East
[April 12, 2004 - 10.30 GMT]

President Kumaratunga dispatched an elite committee headed by her former secretary K Balapatabendi to the East of the island. The special team will look into the immediate needs of persons displaced by the internecine fighting [among the Tamil militants] in the East. The committee members are now on an inspection tour of the Eastern towns of Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

The other members of the committee are Lieutenant General Lionel Balagalle the Army Commander, Sarath Chandrasiri Vithanage the Director of the Human Disaster Management Council and the Secretary to the Ministry of Social Services.

An Eastern coordinating committee of senior military and police personnel, UNHCR representatives and health and education secretaries in the province, is also in place, and is headed by Provincial Governor Major General Asoka Jayewardene.

Initial reports said around 18,000 civilians are displaced in Trincomalee and Batticaloa areas. The visiting committee members have ensured that the displaced families are provided with basic facilities.

President Kumaratunga has instructed the authorities to allocate financial assistance, while the Army has been entrusted with the task of providing humanitarian assistance to those affected.

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Last Updated Date: April 12, 2004  - 10.30 GMT.