The Muslims who were internally displaced due to fighting initiated by the LTTE have, since September 4 and 5, 2006, begun to return to Muttur in significant numbers. To date about 10,000 of the 40,000 displaced have already returned to Muttur permanently, states the Coalition of Sri Lankan Muslims with regard to the return of internally displaced Muslims to Muttur.

"This is indeed a welcome development which would help preserve the ethnic composition in the Trincomalee district which the LTTE sought to disturb for its own political gain. In short the attempt by the LTTE to ethnically cleans the Muslims of the Tricomalee district is being reversed due the coordinated effort of the Government and the main opposition the UNP.

During the initial stages of the displacement the government in good faith attempted to move the Muslims out of the Trnicomalee district. The danger of this move was pointed out to the President by a UNP delegation led by Karu Jayasooriya, Deputy Leader UNP, when they met on 15th August 2006. As a direct result of this UNP involvement the movement of Muslims from the Trincomalee district was halted, thus ensuring the continuity of the status quo with regard to the ethnic composition of the Trincomalee district.

We the Coalition of Muslim Organizations place on record our sincere gratitude to the Kantale Pradeshiya Sabha and its Chairman for all their efforts in welcoming and accommodating the IDPs during their hour of need. We also thank the UNP and its Deputy leader for having taken timely action to bring this serious matter to the notice of the President and stopping the disturbance in the ethnic composition of the Trincomalee district which the LTTE sought. We also thank all Governmental and Non Governmental organizations, Buddhist organizations and in particular the Buddhist clergy for their support in ensuring the comfort and well being of the displaced Muslims.