The Governor for the Northern Province, Major General G.A. Chandrasiri denied allegations of the TNA that the government plans to settle Sinhalese in Kilinochchi and Mulativu districts.

Although the TNA brought up the matter of moves to change the ethnic balance in the North with the Tamil Nadu MPs, the latter did not raise it at their meeting with the President.

Speaking to PRIU, the Governor stated that there is a delay in resettlement because the government ensures that no outsiders; whose original hometown is not North even though they are Tamil, are allowed to settle in the North. Similar procedure was adopted when resettlement was taking place in the East.

The Governor also denied that Buddhist temples are being built and clarified that a temple was reconstructed in Kilinochchi recently. In addition, as accepted by international norms, religious places of worship are allowed inside the army camps, he added.

The allegation was made by the TNA at a meeting with a visiting delegation of Tamil Nadu MPs at India House in Colombo. The TNA is accused of taking advantage of the meeting to embarrass the government when they had recently pledged to work with the government to resettle the IDPs. This understanding had been reached at a meeting chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, the senior official in charge of resettlement and rehabilitation.

With regard to TNA accusations that mine clearance has not taken place in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, military sources said that Sri Lankan forces and INGOs are engaged in mine clearing operations west of A9. Once this is completed, de-mining will be stepped up east of A9.

The Registration Strategy for IDPs completed its task in Vavuniya District recently. 176,191 IDPs who are above the age of 12 were registered and temporary identity cards were issued to them.

The full data base of the IDPs included the details on whether their family members are missing, dead or injured and of any damages to their property to ease the Government's resettlement programme.