Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao underlined that India stood with Sri Lanka in responding to the challenges posed by the task of resettlement and rehabilitation of the large number of IDPs resulting from the end of armed conflict in 2009.

She made this statement during her visit to Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna yesterday (31 Aug).

In particular, she referred to the challenge posed by housing and noted that India had pledged to build 50,000 houses in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, and that Jaffna would be assisted through signature projects such as the Jaffna Cultural Center, Jaffna Teaching Hospital and the Duraiappah Stadium.

She emphasized that it was time to look to the future for the sake of the coming generations and underlined that India had always accorded high priority to the welfare of the people of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka.

In Vavuniya, Foreign Secretary received a briefing on the resettlement situation from Maj Gen Kamal Gunaratne, the Security Forces Commander of the Wanni. She then visited Menik Farm, where she met with a number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). She also visited their homes and witnessed their conditions of stay.

She assured the IDPs of the Government of India’s continued commitment to assist them in the task of rebuilding their lives. Foreign Secretary underlined that 50,000 houses which will be built with the assistance from the Indian government will be built with local participation and will give a fillip to local employment. Foreign Secretary also met with the Government Agent (GA) of Vavuniya, Mrs. P. S. M. Charles and discussed other possible areas where India could assist in the process of resettlement.

The Indian Foreign Secretary's next stop was at Mahilankulam near Omanthai, a site where the Horizon (ex-servicemen) Group of India is conducting demining operations.

The Government of India is funding three Horizon demining teams, in addition to four teams from Sarvatra, another Indian demining group working in Sri Lanka. Before leaving Vavuniya, Smt Nirupama Rao also distributed another consignment of Indian assistance consisting of agricultural tool kits, roofing sheets and cement bags among recently resettled IDPs, at the Agrarian Services Centre in Omanthai.

The Indian Foreign Secretary also visited Kilinochchi, where she met with local army and civil officials who briefed her on the progress of resettlement. She also met with recently resettled families in the Kilinochchi area and distributed toolkits, cement bags and roofing sheets to them.

In Jaffna, Foreign Secretary met with local officials who briefed her on the situation in the Jaffna Peninsula and the resettlement priorities of the district. She also met with a broad spectrum of civil society leaders and heard from them about the recent developments following the end of armed conflict.

Foreign Secretary also visited the site of the Cultural Centre that will be constructed with Indian assistance. She also distributed Indian assistance to a group of recently resettled IDPs.

She is schedule to visit Mullaitivu and Trincomalee today, before returning to Colombo for further meetings with Sri Lankan dignitaries. She will also call on the President of Sri Lanka before her departure to India.

During yesterday’s visit she was accompanied by the High Commissioner of India Shri. Ashok K. Kantha, Governor of the Northern Province, Maj Gen (Rtd) G.A.Chandrasiri and senior officials of the Governments of India and Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.