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Leading News from Sri Lanka ::
Sept 23, Colombo: Sri Lanka parliament is currently reviewing a supplementary estimate of 350 million rupees presented for approval by the Ministry of resettlement and disaster relief services for the welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North.
The Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services presented the supplementary estimate on September 08.
The supplementary estimate was made as funds allocated to the Ministry for the year 2009 had proved to be insufficient to provide facilities for large number of IDPs in the welfare villages, the Ministry said.
Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Rishad Bathiyudeen presenting the proposal for debate at the parliament said the government aims to resettle all the IDPs as soon as possible and has accelerated the resettlement program.
However, the main impediment is the slow progress of removing landmines. The government has already imported extra equipment and they are being utilized now. With the new equipment it has become possible to remove landmines in an area of 5,000 square meters in a day.
The government has initiated a host family program to hand over the IDPs to their family members and advertisements have been placed in newspapers calling for willing host families.
The older IDPs over 60 have already been evacuated from the welfare centers. Arrangements have also been made for the pregnant women to go to their relatives.
According to the Ministry, budgetary allocation for the year 2009 are not adequate to meet the infrastructure costs already incurred and future expenses relating to provision of basic and welfare facilities for the IDPs.
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