“This is a very different country from when I left in May of 2009. Most of the IDPs have left Menik Farm and the rest will leave as soon as demining is complete; important local council elections have taken place in the north; more than 8,000 ex-combatants have been rehabilitated and released; and substantial work has been done in the North to re-open schools, improve infrastructure, and remove mines,” he said at the end of his three day visit to the country.

Mr. Blake said that US would continue to assist to the people in the North to recover, rebuild, and return to normal lives.

We are investing $20 million to partner with the private sector to create 20,000 jobs in horticulture, dairy, apparel, aquaculture, logistics and construction sectors in the North and East. We are continuing activity to support demining so IDPs and others can return to their homes. We have contributed $1.4 million in the last year to support transitional housing across the North. In addition, we are the majority contributor to the World Food Program here, providing $5 million over the past 12 months, he added.

Speaking with regard to the U.N. Secretary General’s Panel of Experts report to the UNHRC he said that “We hope that the LLRC report will address the allegations raised in the Panel of Experts report”.

During his stay in Sri Lanka he had a wide range of meetings in Colombo and Jaffna. Mr. Robert O Blake met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Foreign Minister GL Peiris, representatives of the TNA and UNP, and members of civil society. He also visited Jaffna to meet with the military commander, NGO representatives, and students from Jaffna University.