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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Achievement in resettlement

Remarkable progress has been made in the process of resettlement of IDPs. The number of IDPs has been reduced from 288,000 to 196088. This has been possible due to the successful de-mining process, which was operated by 1000 trained soldiers. This significant achievement was due to the able leadership of Hon. Basil Rajapaksa. The resettlement process operated on daily basis has been a humane mission with all assistance given to the IDPs to restore Their livelihood. It is significant that the IDPs have been resettle in their original home in secure environment said Mr. Mahinda Samarasinghe Hon.Ministar of Disaster Management and Human Rights at a media briefing held at the Presidential Secretariat today (26).

The IDPs have availed themselves of an informed choice and are not forced to choose location. The Government does not want the IDPs to be resettled in an insecure environment . To ensure the safety of the IDPs the government purchased 24 De-mining machines . In coming weeks more IDPs will be resettled as the de-mining process continues the Minister added.

Commenting on the report of US State Department to the US Congress the Minister stressed that the report very clearly says it has no legal basis and contains only information collected from various sources like newspapers. the U.S. embassy and reports of various organizations, The incidents mentioned are alleged to have taken place between January and May 2009. Further, this report has not singled out Sri Lanka and contains information also on the situation in countries like Buruma, Mexico, Itaq etc. Though some elements try to interpret this report as a charge sheet against Sri Lanka, clearly says it has no legal basis. In this context, attempts by elements to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka should be condemned, said the Minister, The resolution passed at the U.N. Human Rights Council contained an appeal that in meeting the challenges of a post - conflict period Sri Lanka should get the cooperation from other countries. This is in contrast to the contents of he distorted statement made by the spokesman of the High Commissioner of Human Rights on the said report, explained the Minister Samarasinghe.

Committee to be Appointed

The H.E President Mahinda Rajapakse has decided to appoint an independent committee to make inquiries and submit a report, on the incidents a alleged to lave occured between January and May 2009 mentioned in the report of the U.S. State Department. notwithstanding that 99% of the allegations had already been answered at media briefings, The Committee will also make recommendations for a consolidated position on the issue said Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe.

The Spokesman of the High Commissioner for Human Rights based in Geneva had regrettably misinterpreted the report, by comparing to situation with that of the Gaza. The report of the United Nations Human Rights Council on Gaza situation had been made on a totally different mandate. Sri Lanka will apprise the High Commissioner of Human Rights on her spokesman's distortion and also will take concrete steps to stop the release of such statements, with the support of other countries and urge the High Commissioner's office to be objective, unblased and fair.

Answering a query, the Minister said that the decision of the President to appoint an independent Commission is a step in the right direction. It's the responsibility of a democratic state to investigate the charges of such nature, the Minister stressed.