The resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons in some of the Peninsula villages is nearing completion. The area has been cleared of all mines prior to the resettlement. It was essential to get the clearance certificate from the UN before resettling the displaced people in the areas affected by mines, Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda said.

He told The Island that as Chairman of Jaffna Special Task Force he had been assigned to resettle a large number of people in Navatkuli, Kaithady and Maravanpulo villages.

Minister Devananda said that his aim was to resettle the IDPs in their original places as quickly as possible. For the last 10 years all infrastructure facilities in the area had been destroyed due to a devastating war.

During the troubled times the Tamil community suffered untold hardships. The problem of de-mining had been completed in those areas.

The Minister pointed out that the security forces had paid attention to help improve the agriculture of Jaffna, paving the way for farmers to re-commence the farming activities. Essential infrastructure facilities such as electricity, drinking water, transport and other facilities would be soon made available to provide a hassle-free environment.