The UN Secretary General has visited Sri Lanka and has seen Manik Farm in the arid district of Vavuniya where most of the IDP' are held. He is requesting unlimited access to these camps for the international humanitarian agencies. We are all agreed that these civilians need to be screened quickly and those separated from their families re-united as quickly as possible. I am extremely suspicious of the motives of these 'so called' international agencies who are keen to get into the camps-given that they showed some sympathy to the LTTE and these are the self same agencies who sang the chorus of "A catastrophe would unfold if the fighting did not cease" and demanded unlimited access to the safe-zone.

It seems to me that these agencies with the tacit support of the international community are more keen to interfere in our internal affairs than to work for the welfare of the civilians. I would counsel caution at this time as I mistrust these agencies, who if given a foot hold would stifle all attempts of the government to expedite the process of re-settlement and pass misinformation to the international media and thereby support those who would very much like to level war crime accusations against Sri Lanka. Be ever suspicious and ask yourselves the question, do we really need these nefarious agencies in our Country? Some of their comments implies that we Sri Lankans are incapable of helping these civilians. Are they the only ones competent to help or are they trying to justify their own existence? Do tread carefully.

It is imperative we start dialogue with the minorities and address their grievances and start the process of wining their trust and confidence. We also need to facilitate a re-habilitation process within the camp whereby the civilians in strict confidence relate their stories to a panel of experts formed from within Sri Lanka made up of religious and laity similar to the truth and reconciliation commission set up in South Africa. Now is an opportunity for us Sri Lankans of different religions to live together in profound respect, esteem and appreciation, respecting the differences and promoting that which unites.