By Dianne Silva

The government yesterday briefed the diplomatic community on the IDPs situation in the country in response to criticism levelled against government with regard to the resettlement of IDPs.

Addressing the diplomatic Corps based in Colombo Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that only about 158,990 are awaiting resettlement in the coming weeks in the north. Under the latest phase of resettlement, which commenced on the October 15, 108,757 internally displaced persons in the North have been resettled as of the November 3. The remaining IDPs, numbering about 158,990 will be resettled in the coming weeks,” the Foreign Minister said.

He further informed them that President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday visited the IDPs at Thunukkai in the Mullaitivu district who were resettled earlier in the week.
The Minister speaking on the de-mining taking place in these areas said, “There are an estimated 1.5 million landmines and unexploded ordnances which contaminate an area of 402 square kilometres in the North. While the Sri Lanka Army was responsible for clearing 70% of the total area so far, 7 INGOs and several NGOs are assisting in this process,” he said.

The Foreign Minister reiterated the successful resettlement of persons in the East.  “The Government of Sri Lanka was able to resettle 90% of the nearly 187,000 IDPs in the Eastern Province within a year,” he said. 

Several high ranking officials to visit Lanka

A host of high ranking officials from various countries are to visit the island in the coming weeks on the invitation of the Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

Chief among them is the Australian Foreign Minister Steven Smith.  The Minister is to visit the island on November 9 on an invitation extended to him by the Lankan Foreign Minister.

“He will be here to discuss the issue of illegal migration and human smuggling racket to that country that has originated from Sri Lanka.

Through our discussions bilateral relations between the two countries are sure to be strengthened,” Mr. Bogollagama said.

However, when the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka was contacted it was unable to confirm such a visit was about to take place.

Indian Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will also be in the island on November 14 to meet with the Foreign Minister and other higher officials.

The Head of State of Myanmar, Senior General Than Shwe and the Foreign Minister of South Africa Ms. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane are also slated to visit the island, and would be here on November 12.