The Catholic Bishop of Jaffna His Lordship Thomas Savundranayagam joined the Archbishop in commending the Government for the speedy resettlement of such a large number of IDPs, and also thanked all ministers and officials who had carried out his work. The Bishop of Jaffna said the resettlement had not been easy due to the need for de-mining of a large area of land and also preparing the places for resettlement. He said it must be understood that resettlement of such a large number was of necessity a slow process.

Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, Jaffna Bishop Savundranayagam and the Bishop of Trincomalee-Batticaloa His Lordship Kingsley Swamipillai, were agreed that there were some areas such as shelter and livelihood that needed further resolution, while agreeing on the difficulties faced in this regard. They said there was a need to review the shelter and livelihood programmes in view of post-settlement needs. These included the assistance given by the World Food Programme (WFP), the provision of more assistance and facilities such as fencing and inputs for farmers who had to work on land that was fallow for decades, supply of adequate drinking water, and the supply of adequate equipment for the fishing community who had lost all during the conflict.
They appreciated the work being done by the government authorities in this regard, and offered the assistance of the Church in overcoming any hardships the state authorities would face, by helping to arrive at a better understanding of needs of the people and the working of the solutions needed.

On a suggestion made by the Bishops, President Rajapaksa agreed to the setting up of a multi-religious Advisory Committee, to be chaired by the Prime Minister, to look into and resolve day-to-day issues affecting all communities, especially in the areas of education, livelihood development and understanding among different faiths. The Archbishop named two Catholic Bishops to be on this Committee.

On the issue of High Security Zones, the Bishops it was explained to the Bishops that many areas were now being opened up for settlement, and in areas considered to necessary to retain for security needs, alternate land will be provided and adequate compensation will also be paid. Referring to the Sampur area, it was explained that land acquisition had to be done for a development project, as in all other parts of the country. Minister of National Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa explained that such land acquisitions took place in all parts of the country, for development work such as roads, power projects etc., and that all such acquisitions will be done legally and the persons concerned would be adequately compensated with alternate lands and cash.

The issues of Inland Fisheries, where the use of prohibited fishing nets was causing a depletion of fishing stock, and the matter of unauthorized of buildings in the City of Anuradhapura that was leading to a environmental and town planning problems in the historic city were also discussed, with the President agreeing to bring about early solutions to these matters.

The nine member delegation of Bishops who met the President comprised His Grace Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith – Colombo, and Bishops Rayappu Joseph-Mannar, Norbert Andrdadi OMI-Anuradhapura, Thomas Savundranayagam-Jaffna, Vainney Fernando-Kandy, Kingsley Swampillai-Trincomalee-Batticaloa, Winston Fernando SSS-Badulla, Harold Perera – Kurunegala and Bishop Valence Mendis-Chilaw. Rev. Fr.Nihal Nanayakkara-Administrator of Diocese of Galle was also present.

Associated with the President were Prime Minister DM Jayarathna, Ministers, Basil Rajapaksa (Economic Development), Bandula Gunawardena (Education) Rajitha Senarathna (Fisheries),Sarath Gunarathna (Deputy Minister of State Resources and Enterprise Development), Milroy Fernando (Resettlement), and Dayashritha Tissera (Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation), Secretary to the President Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, and Secretary Defense Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa also were present.