SG/SM/12622
The following statement was issued Saturday, 21 November, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The Secretary-General welcomes the decision by the Government of Sri Lanka to grant increased freedom of movement to internally displaced persons still residing in camps in northern Sri Lanka. The Secretary-General also welcomes the release of over half of the internally displaced persons from the camps, and encourages the Government to continue to prioritize the return of internally displaced persons. These are steps which the United Nations has long been pressing for in its intensive engagement with the authorities in Sri Lanka, including during the Secretary-General's own visit in May.
The Secretary-General urges the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to work with the United Nations and other humanitarian partners to improve the quality of the returns process, including through consultation with the internally displaced persons themselves, and to ensure the best possible assistance and services to returnees.
For information media • not an official record
