TULF President V. Anandasangree has written to Competent Authority IDP Affairs Maj. Gen (rtd.) G. A. Chandrasiri requesting him to release pregnant mothers and mothers with infants from the welfare centres so that they could be given special care and attention they badly need.

Excerpts of Mr. Sangaree’s letter:

"I shall be very thankful to you if would kindly consider with sympathy the pathetic plight of the above category of IDPs and release them from the welfare centres for specified short periods.

I need not remind you that, till they were rescued from Mullivaikal they had undergone immense hardships. With no proper food and rest and with limited supply of Triposa, they are much under-nourished and weak. Their urgent needs were met only after their arrival in the welfare centres.

I believe that there are about one thousand such cases in various camps in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna. All of them have relations and friends in the North. Special care and attention are needed for mothers in advanced stage of pregnancy and mothers and the infants for 31 days after delivery. Neglect could lead to unwanted complications such as death of mother, child or both. Deformity may also be a result. They are also prone to various infections. The possibility of still-birth is also there. Some customary treatment is also given to the mother and the child in Sri Lankan society as you are aware. There are some mothers who needed caesarian section. I do not think that this category of persons pose any security threats.

I shall consider it as a great favour if the mothers with newborn babies and the expectant mothers in an advanced stage of pregnancy are handed over to the relatives or friends who are prepared to takes charge of them and look after them for a specified period, which you consider as reasonable.