A GROUP of Malaysians of Tamil origin who visited IDP camps, expressed their confidence that the remaining displaced families would be resettled within two or three months, the latest by January 2010.
The twelve member delegation representing the Federation of Malaysian-Sri Lankan Organizations (FOMSO) visited welfare centres in Vavuniya including Camp Zero and Camp Two where they met and spoke to over hundred IDPs.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday at the Cinnamon Grand, the delegation disclosed that the main requests of the IDPs were those for firewood, vegetables and tarpaulin, while they also yearned for the authorities to allow them to return home. Medicine sufficient for three months was also donated by the FOMSO.
The delegation stated that though the situation in the IDP camps were tough, the Government was providing the best conditions possible.
The delegation also visited resettlement and de-mining areas in Mannar. They stated that they had been impressed with the massive scale of resettlement taking place, with the initial number of 285,000 IDPs being reduced to 135,000 within a short time span. They were also happy with the Government's allocation of an initial sum of
Rs.25,000, 16 zinc sheets and food rations amounting to six months to each family resettled. They stated that they saw definite progression.
The delegation further visited the Rehabilitation centres at Mannar, housing around 600 former LTTE cadres below eighteen years. They had discussions with the children moving freely with them.
The children had disclosed that they had been forcibly recruited by the LTTE. Though appreciating the training afforded by the Government their main request was to be allowed to reunite with their families. In Jaffna, computers and multimedia projectors were donated to three schools, namely J. Eluthumadduval G.T.M.S., Vidathapalai Kamalasamy Vidyalayam, Ketpely and Kopai Christian College. A package of medicine worth over USD 20, 000 was handed over to the Jaffna Bishop for the use of IDPs.
President, FOMSO, S. Kulasegaran emphasized that though the security of the camps were tight, they had encountered absolutely no restrictions while interviewing the inmates.
A spokesperson of the delegation said that in his opinion the current situation in Sri Lanka had undergone a rapid change compared to the stories they have been hearing about the country. He said that they in Malaysia were fed with alarming reports through the International media.
This visit was a result of a massive fund-raising project in Malaysia by the FOMSO, amounting to Rs. 35.7 million. This program was backed by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Malaysia.
The Sri Lankan Army and Rotary Club provided the needed facilities within Sri Lanka.
The Rotary Club will monitor the jointly established projects between the two organizations. The delegation hopes to continue their fund raising activities in Malaysia and visit Sri Lanka in another six months. (Courtesy: Daily News)
