The Government has been concerned over the escalation of violence by the LTTE and the consequent increase in displacement in Trincomalee district with some even crossing the shores of Sri Lanka via Mannar.
On the directive of HE the President, a meeting of senior government officials was convened by Secretary to the President, which included the Governor of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary General SCOPP, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Commanders, Chief Secretary of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, Government Agent Trincomalee, Government Agent Mannar and other government officials to discuss matters relating to this displacement.
As directed by HE the President, it was agreed that all efforts must be made to restore normalcy enabling the people to return to their original places of residence. It was noted that the numbers of this displacement is not significantly large. It was decided that the general assurance of security and safety was required to dispel concerns of these affected people.
In this regard it was decided to establish temporary Open Relief Centres (ORC) with a primary focus in Trincomalee and also using the existing ORC facility in Mannar. These Centres will be administered by the Government Agent of the respective district working in close coordination with the Governor of the Northern and Eastern Provinces and the provincial administration. Each Centre will have a UNHCR presence in order to assist in building confidence and ensure an early return of these people to their homes.
It was agreed at the meeting that UNHCR will be the focal agency in this regard and continue to support the Government in the ORC initiative.
The Temporary Open Relief Centres (ORC) will commence operations within the next few days to accommodate the immediate needs of the displaced people, while plans for an early return will be formulated in consultation with the district administration and other agencies.
Anusha Palpita
Director of Government Information