LANKA-IDPS 2LST

Priority has been given to public roads, common places
and villages earmarked for speedy resettlement during the
demining process, the Daily News quoted Samarasinghe.

Following President Mahinda Rajapaksa's decision, the Sri
Lankan Government has allowed Tamil civilians free movement
from December 1.
Accordingly, 22,443 registered IDPs have moved out during
the last three days ending Friday, he said, adding of this
9,778 have returned.
"Any person can leave the welfare villages and return as
they wish. No action will be taken against the persons who
won't come back to IDP villages. The freedom is not limited to
15 days," the minister said.
He rejected media reports of armed forces going after the
IDPs if they did not return back, the newspaper added.
"It is up to them to decide whether to return or not.
What the Government did was to grant the freedom for them to
move away as they wish. However, the Government is carrying
out the welfare activities in welfare villages further as
usual," Samarasinghe said.
The minister denied any reports suggesting the IDPs were
given freedom of movement only for 15 days.
"Every IDP leaving relief centres were given two passes
since the government is responsible for their security and
wellbeing. Authorities at the centres retain one pass while
the other was given to the IDP," he added. PTI TVS
ANU


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