Lifeline daily radio show #138 (29 July 2009)
Mullaitivu resettlement and development program has been allocated a budget of nearly Rs. 300 million for road development, schools, child care, social development, reconstruction and welfare. Welioya IDPs to be resettled before August 31 in Kalyanipura, Morawewa and Gajabapura areas. In Mannar, 130 children were released to Mannar Children’s home and 440 more children will be reunited soon. The Madhu festival will begin on August 6 with the expected participation of more than 100,000 people.
- Millions allocated for the development and resettlement of Mullaitivu
- Welioya IDPs going home by end of August
- 130 orphans released to Mannar Children’s home
- More than 100,000 pilgrims to participate in Madhu festival
Millions allocated for the development and resettlement of Mullaitivu
The Northern development work has started in Mullaitivu with landmines being cleared by the army. The Mullaitivu GA, Mrs. Imelda Sukumar explained: “The areas identified for resettlement are Oddusudan, Mantahi East,and Thunukaai and the central ministry has allocated money for these areas. The government has allocated funds for developing several sectors in these areas; Rs. 20 million for small lake development, Rs. 40 million for emergency reconstruction of schools, Rs. 17.5 million for cooperative stores and a further Rs. 6 million for agriculture.”
She further stated: “Under Maga Neguma (internal road development) Rs. 20 million has been allocated and another Rs. 75 million is allocated under RDD roads, land development. The allocation for developing the A9 road is Rs.57.7 million. Under the Northern development secretary’s budget, Rs. 22million was allocated and for social service activities, Rs. 12.5 million. For probation and child care development Rs.15 million and for rural development Rs.1.7 million. For village roads, Rs.20 million. Banking, vocational training, justice ministry are the services which are to be expanded and the above decision was taken on July 24 2009.”
Welioya IDPs going home by end of August
The residents of Welioya, situated on the border of Mullaitivu and Trincomalee districts, who were displaced during the conflict are to be resettled next month. The Media secretary to Basil Rajapakshe, Mr. Senaka Ubeysinghe stated: “The parliamentarian and the Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakshe has affirmed the resettlement of IDPs in Welioya DS division under the ‘Gama Neguma development program. These people will be resettled in Kalyanipura, Morawewa and Gajabapura areas before August 312009 and at the moment we are counting the number of families that were displaced. We have further allocated Rs.50 million to reconstruct the roads in these areas.” Speaking on resettlement in Killinochchi and Mullaitivu districts he stated that the mine clearance is still on-going but electricity has been provided in these areas. In the meantime, road construction, well cleaning and the installation of tube wells, to provide drinking water, is underway and, as soon as UN clearance is given, people will be resettled in these areas. He added: “Basil Rajapakshe has given instructions to provide household goods specially for cooking, Rs.25,000 per family and electrical items to those families who are to be resettled. These families will also be provided food for six months, agricultural equipment and other electrical equipment.”
130 orphans released to Mannar Children’s home
Yesterday, 130 orphaned children were transferred from Vavuniya welfare camps to Mannar Children’s Home. There are already 190 orphans who have been sent to the orphanage and a further 120 children were reunited with their relatives as per court orders. In the meantime, cases were filed in court to release 48 more children but the orders have not yet been issued.. The Commissioner of Child Care and Probation Department Mr. Abeygunawardena stated: “We have a special program for the orphaned children and we are holding discussions in this regard with the Child Development and Women Empowerment Ministry. We have done 50% of the reunification program to reunite children with their relatives with the support of military forces. We have released 320 children from camps and we are preparing to reunite a further 440 children with their relatives and another 408 children are waiting for the court orders to be released or reunited.”
More than 100,000 pilgrims to participate in Madhu festival
The Ministry of Road Development, the Mannar GA’s office and other government agencies are working to build infrastructure in the area as more than 100,000 of people are expected to attend the Madhu festival. The demining process is currently underway and one kilometre from Madhu church, there are signs informing the people to be aware of landmines. The Rev. Fr. Victor Soosai, who is in charge of the Mannar Catholic Church, said: “This festival is a symbol of people returning to normalcy after the war. This is the first festival in Madhu after the conflict and people who were unable to attend for years will be able to do so. The church volunteers are helping with preparations for the festival. The media also has to create awareness to devotees who are willing to participate for this event to be aware of the land mines.”
