Discharge IDPs with own houses from Wanni camps, says TNA MP Srikantha- ASIA TRIBUNE
Srikantha M.P., speaking in the All Party Conference
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- K.T.Rajasingham
Colombo, 04 July, (Asiantribune.com): N Srikantha and other TNA lawmakers attended an all party conference held by the President for the first time in several years signaling thereby a change of heart in synch with the times. They appreciate the government efforts at resettling the IDPs but have their own views on how the work should progress.
In an exclusive interview with AT, Srikantha has spelt out these views. Excerpts from the interview
Asian Tribune: After a long time, you accepted an invitation by the President and went for the all party conference yesterday. Why this sudden change of heart? What happened at the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, we have been invited in our individual capacity as members of parliament, but without harping on the technicalities the TNA as a party discussed this invitation which we received on Wednesday evening. After long deliberation, we decided to join the all party meeting.
Now your second question – what happened there (at the meeting). We (TNA) highlighted two issues. We urged the meeting to consider these issues as a matter that deserves top most priority.
Firstly, the hardships faced by about 300,000 Tamils who are now housed in the IDP camps in the North as a consequence of the war. We pleaded for speedy resettlement and rehabilitation of these people.
Secondly, we said a political solution should be evolved with a view to quickly solve the national question without any further delay.
These are the two matters we raised at today’s meeting.
Asian Tribune: Who and who Participated from the TNA side? Yourself and?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yesterday’s meeting only those TNA MPs who were present in Colombo participated in the meeting, and next time it will consists of all the TNA MPs under the leadership of Mr. R. Sampanther.
Yesterday, there were 8 of us – along with me , Thurairatnasingham MP from Trincomalee , Aradi Immam, T. Kanasbai from Batticalo, Mrs. Pathmini Sithamparanatha, Vino Noharathalingam, Sivanathan Kishor and Arianthiran from Batticalo.
Asian Tribune: What was the response in the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Generally speaking, except for one or two, every one seems to be of the opinion that these pressing issues should be dealt with in addition to certain other matters. These two issues I raised on behalf of TNA. The President said that the area is heavily mined (by LTTE) and these landmines needed to be cleared before any resettlement could commence for the protection of the people.
We see the point he made and we understand that, but the people can’t remain in the IDP camp for a long time because by October we will have the advent of the rainy season. And matters will become worse. Therefore, bearing this situation in mind we thought of pleading for a speedy resettlement because we are of view that clearing the land mines in Vanni region will take considerable time. Therefore, people can’t be expected to remain in the IDP camps for a long time.
Asian Tribune: Is it true that more than 25-30,000 IDPs with own houses in Jaffna are now in Vanni camps.
N.Srikantha M.P: Mmore than that
Asian Tribune: Ok. We understand that another 50,000 plus IDPs from the East own houses are also in Vanni camps. Why can’t they be sent back to their own homes?
N.Srikantha M.P: Very happy that you raised this issue. This is very logical. I have already raised this issue in Parliament and with Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services the other day when the war was in the final stage
Asian Tribune: Even I spoke with the Minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen yesterday about this issue.
N.Srikantha M.P: Very good! Very good! He is a very sensible man. Very conscious of the problem of the people and very much interested in bringing up a solution to the people.
As you have rightly said there are thousands of people who own houses in Jaffna and certain other parts of the country; there are thousands and thousands people who can find alternate accommodations from their relatives and friends. Hence these people can be immediately released for resettlement. This will reduce pressure on the IDP camps; the government will also get some relief; once these people are out, the government can focus on the rest; that number will be very much manageable in the camps.
Asian Tribune: I think more than one third of the IDP’s, about 100,000, can be resettled immediately but what minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen told me was – they the government is registering the IDPs, the registering process will be over soon, and once the registration was completed, may in another week, the government will k now who has houses, who donot have houses and where is their house. Then it will be possible to consider this type of resettlement. May be you like to take up the issue with the President when you meet him next.
N.Srikantha M.P: In today’s meeting I have expressed our desire to meet with the President separately in order to discuss very many issues pertaining to these two matters; the president replying to the discussion said he will be meeting with the representative of various parties separately in the next few weeks.
We will be making a formal request to meet the President in the next couple of days. And once that (meeting) comes through, as you rightly said, we will raise these matters and discuss with him. We will try to impress up on the President the feasibility of releasing these people without any further delay so that they can stand on their own feet or with the assistance of their kith and kin.
Asian Tribune: The government can also assist them and give them all the support. The international community wants them to be resettled as early as possible.
N.Srikantha M.P: You see there are thousands of public servants who are also lodged there. They were working for the people in the war zone area when the war was taking place. And the government asked these people to come into the government controlled area and assured them they will resettle them. What has happened? We understand Government’s practical difficulties in dealing with such a large population, but now that all have been housed in transit camps, a system is put in place to look after them, the government logically move to the next step to see whoever could be released without any further delay is released.
You know, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people but the problem is they should have the clearance from the government.
We are getting calls from abroad expressing willingness to help our people. There are a number of people who are asking us repeatedly that they are willing to help.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help…..
Furthermore, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people and the problem is that they should have the clearance from the government.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help in solving this issue.
We can organize a massive assistance programme from the civilian population in the North and from those who are residing in Colombo.
Some of them organize some materials to be send by lorries and even then there were some practical difficulties. The Hon. Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen was very helpful.
We encourage social organization to give all the assistance in getting all the necessary clearance and arranging transport.
Minister Douglas Devananda was also helping in that direction.
Asian Tribune: Only thing is that you to be vigilant and cautious that some of the unwanted elements should not get in the way.
N.Sri Kantha M.P: Yes, that is true, the type of elements who gain by using the miseries of the people. There are even calls from abroad from people indicating willingness to help this people. We haven’t finalized on these requests. Asian Tribune: Who are the organizations which wanted to get involved?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, there are number of people who are known to us, who are repeatedly asking us that they are willing to help through various NGOs in Europe and individual capacity. We will connect them directly with people once we take it up with the President.
Asian Tribune: There are some big local NGOs who cook and feed thousands of people on a daily basis.
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, I think that they are all doing commendable service to our people.
Asian Tribune: Why can’t you link your people and organizations with these local NGOs?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, that is a good suggestion.
We will raise this issue with the President. One important issue we wanted to raise is, as you rightly said, whoever are confident of going out of the camp and are able to manage their day to day life from among the IDPs, they should be permitted to do so after the government verified their claim.
If someone wants to come forward to take charge of their relatives who are in the IDP camp, then the government can take the person’s details and can always check on them if necessary to make sure what they are doing and should be allow the particular relative(s) with them, till they are settled in their place of choice.
That maybe most probably in the case of the people who are mainly coming from Vanni region, but as you rightly said there are thousands of Tamil who were forced to leave the Jaffna Peninsula when LTTE moved out of Jaffna in 1995 December. Number of my relatives went to Vanni and now they are now in the IDP camps. But majority of them have their own houses and want to go back to Jaffna and restart their lives.
Asian Tribune: When are you going to meet the Sri Lanka President?
N.Srikantha M.P: I think as Mr. Sampanther – Our Parliamentary group leader, has returned and now in Trincomalee. Now that he has come, we will all be meeting tomorrow or day after and then in the next working day probably on Tuesday our request will be on the table of the President. I think he will invite us as quickly as possible.
- Asian Tribune -
- K.T.Rajasingham
Colombo, 04 July, (Asiantribune.com): N Srikantha and other TNA lawmakers attended an all party conference held by the President for the first time in several years signaling thereby a change of heart in synch with the times. They appreciate the government efforts at resettling the IDPs but have their own views on how the work should progress.
In an exclusive interview with AT, Srikantha has spelt out these views. Excerpts from the interview
Asian Tribune: After a long time, you accepted an invitation by the President and went for the all party conference yesterday. Why this sudden change of heart? What happened at the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, we have been invited in our individual capacity as members of parliament, but without harping on the technicalities the TNA as a party discussed this invitation which we received on Wednesday evening. After long deliberation, we decided to join the all party meeting.
Now your second question – what happened there (at the meeting). We (TNA) highlighted two issues. We urged the meeting to consider these issues as a matter that deserves top most priority.
Firstly, the hardships faced by about 300,000 Tamils who are now housed in the IDP camps in the North as a consequence of the war. We pleaded for speedy resettlement and rehabilitation of these people.
Secondly, we said a political solution should be evolved with a view to quickly solve the national question without any further delay.
These are the two matters we raised at today’s meeting.
Asian Tribune: Who and who Participated from the TNA side? Yourself and?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yesterday’s meeting only those TNA MPs who were present in Colombo participated in the meeting, and next time it will consists of all the TNA MPs under the leadership of Mr. R. Sampanther.
Yesterday, there were 8 of us – along with me , Thurairatnasingham MP from Trincomalee , Aradi Immam, T. Kanasbai from Batticalo, Mrs. Pathmini Sithamparanatha, Vino Noharathalingam, Sivanathan Kishor and Arianthiran from Batticalo.
Asian Tribune: What was the response in the meeting?
N.Srikantha M.P: Generally speaking, except for one or two, every one seems to be of the opinion that these pressing issues should be dealt with in addition to certain other matters. These two issues I raised on behalf of TNA. The President said that the area is heavily mined (by LTTE) and these landmines needed to be cleared before any resettlement could commence for the protection of the people.
We see the point he made and we understand that, but the people can’t remain in the IDP camp for a long time because by October we will have the advent of the rainy season. And matters will become worse. Therefore, bearing this situation in mind we thought of pleading for a speedy resettlement because we are of view that clearing the land mines in Vanni region will take considerable time. Therefore, people can’t be expected to remain in the IDP camps for a long time.
Asian Tribune: Is it true that more than 25-30,000 IDPs with own houses in Jaffna are now in Vanni camps.
N.Srikantha M.P: Mmore than that
Asian Tribune: Ok. We understand that another 50,000 plus IDPs from the East own houses are also in Vanni camps. Why can’t they be sent back to their own homes?
N.Srikantha M.P: Very happy that you raised this issue. This is very logical. I have already raised this issue in Parliament and with Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services the other day when the war was in the final stage
Asian Tribune: Even I spoke with the Minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen yesterday about this issue.
N.Srikantha M.P: Very good! Very good! He is a very sensible man. Very conscious of the problem of the people and very much interested in bringing up a solution to the people.
As you have rightly said there are thousands of people who own houses in Jaffna and certain other parts of the country; there are thousands and thousands people who can find alternate accommodations from their relatives and friends. Hence these people can be immediately released for resettlement. This will reduce pressure on the IDP camps; the government will also get some relief; once these people are out, the government can focus on the rest; that number will be very much manageable in the camps.
Asian Tribune: I think more than one third of the IDP’s, about 100,000, can be resettled immediately but what minister Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen told me was – they the government is registering the IDPs, the registering process will be over soon, and once the registration was completed, may in another week, the government will k now who has houses, who donot have houses and where is their house. Then it will be possible to consider this type of resettlement. May be you like to take up the issue with the President when you meet him next.
N.Srikantha M.P: In today’s meeting I have expressed our desire to meet with the President separately in order to discuss very many issues pertaining to these two matters; the president replying to the discussion said he will be meeting with the representative of various parties separately in the next few weeks.
We will be making a formal request to meet the President in the next couple of days. And once that (meeting) comes through, as you rightly said, we will raise these matters and discuss with him. We will try to impress up on the President the feasibility of releasing these people without any further delay so that they can stand on their own feet or with the assistance of their kith and kin.
Asian Tribune: The government can also assist them and give them all the support. The international community wants them to be resettled as early as possible.
N.Srikantha M.P: You see there are thousands of public servants who are also lodged there. They were working for the people in the war zone area when the war was taking place. And the government asked these people to come into the government controlled area and assured them they will resettle them. What has happened? We understand Government’s practical difficulties in dealing with such a large population, but now that all have been housed in transit camps, a system is put in place to look after them, the government logically move to the next step to see whoever could be released without any further delay is released.
You know, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people but the problem is they should have the clearance from the government.
We are getting calls from abroad expressing willingness to help our people. There are a number of people who are asking us repeatedly that they are willing to help.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help…..
Furthermore, there are so many social organizations among the Tamils who are willing to help these people and the problem is that they should have the clearance from the government.
We plan to raise this matter when we meet the President next time and see how far we can help in solving this issue.
We can organize a massive assistance programme from the civilian population in the North and from those who are residing in Colombo.
Some of them organize some materials to be send by lorries and even then there were some practical difficulties. The Hon. Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen was very helpful.
We encourage social organization to give all the assistance in getting all the necessary clearance and arranging transport.
Minister Douglas Devananda was also helping in that direction.
Asian Tribune: Only thing is that you to be vigilant and cautious that some of the unwanted elements should not get in the way.
N.Sri Kantha M.P: Yes, that is true, the type of elements who gain by using the miseries of the people. There are even calls from abroad from people indicating willingness to help this people. We haven’t finalized on these requests. Asian Tribune: Who are the organizations which wanted to get involved?
N.Srikantha M.P: Well, there are number of people who are known to us, who are repeatedly asking us that they are willing to help through various NGOs in Europe and individual capacity. We will connect them directly with people once we take it up with the President.
Asian Tribune: There are some big local NGOs who cook and feed thousands of people on a daily basis.
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, I think that they are all doing commendable service to our people.
Asian Tribune: Why can’t you link your people and organizations with these local NGOs?
N.Srikantha M.P: Yes, that is a good suggestion.
We will raise this issue with the President. One important issue we wanted to raise is, as you rightly said, whoever are confident of going out of the camp and are able to manage their day to day life from among the IDPs, they should be permitted to do so after the government verified their claim.
If someone wants to come forward to take charge of their relatives who are in the IDP camp, then the government can take the person’s details and can always check on them if necessary to make sure what they are doing and should be allow the particular relative(s) with them, till they are settled in their place of choice.
That maybe most probably in the case of the people who are mainly coming from Vanni region, but as you rightly said there are thousands of Tamil who were forced to leave the Jaffna Peninsula when LTTE moved out of Jaffna in 1995 December. Number of my relatives went to Vanni and now they are now in the IDP camps. But majority of them have their own houses and want to go back to Jaffna and restart their lives.
Asian Tribune: When are you going to meet the Sri Lanka President?
N.Srikantha M.P: I think as Mr. Sampanther – Our Parliamentary group leader, has returned and now in Trincomalee. Now that he has come, we will all be meeting tomorrow or day after and then in the next working day probably on Tuesday our request will be on the table of the President. I think he will invite us as quickly as possible.
- Asian Tribune -
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