The centres for the Internally Displaced Tamil civilians in Vavuniya in the North of Sri Lanka are testimony to the Sri Lankan government’s efforts, with international assistance, to care for a brave and resilient Tamil community, states N. Ram, Editor in Chief of the Hindu.

Having visited the Menik Farm Menik Farm relief village complex on the outskirts of the town of Vavuniya in the mainland North, about which some international concern has been expressed over the present condition and the future of these Tamil civilians, who include a large number of children, women, and senior citizens, Mr. Ram who spoke to the displaced people in Tamil, says the conditions there were an uplifting experience.

He refers to the arrangements made for children to attend school, prepare for examinations conducted by the Government, health facilities, including those provided by an Indian Medical Team and many other relief facilities provided by more than 50 United Nations and other international and local relief organizations.

“Conditions in these camps are much better than what has been depicted, mostly second-hand, that is, without visiting the camps, in western media reports. Moreover, they are visibly better than conditions in Sri Lankan refugee camps in India, which are still mostly inaccessible to journalists, researchers, and other outsiders,” he adds.

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