May 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka government is planning to issue ID cards to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the welfare villages in Vavuniya once the registration process is completed.

The United Nation's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it has been informed by the Government of Sri Lanka of the plan to issue ID cards.

The ID cards will allow the IDPs to travel outside camp locations for employment, purchasing provisions and other essential activities.

According to OCHA said over 20,000 IDPs have already registered for the IDs and the process is ongoing.

At the UN press briefing on Wednesday, the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General said that due to the recent massive influx of IDPs to the camps, the military has taken over many of the camp management duties.

However, the UN is urging the Sri Lankan government to use civilians for the management of the camps.

"The United Nations continues to emphasize the need for the camps to be managed by civilians, and reiterates the need for more civilian police, including women police and police from the Tamil community," the Spokesperson said.

In Menik Farm zone 2, around 30 percent of children under the age of five reportedly suffer from moderate malnutrition, while 20 percent suffer from acute malnutrition, the Spokesperson added.

According to OCHA over 186,000 IDPs are in camps, and some 1,700 wounded and their caregivers in hospitals. Some 50,000 or more people are still trapped in the conflict zone.