German Ambassador in Sri Lanka Jens Plotner with deminers sponsored by the German government in Mannar.

"Everybody had endured so many personal tragedies and I can only compliment them on their dignity and determination to rebuild their homes and lives, " observed the German Ambassador Jens Plotner when he met and chatted with members of war-effected families who have just been resettled in the Vavuniya district.

He was on his first field visit to Manik Farm and the resettlement areas close to Vavuniya when he observed that the resettlement-process is indeed a mammoth task. The Ambassador also visited areas in Mannar district, famed as the rice bowl.

He said that conditions in the Manik Farm have eased due to the increased numbers of IDP releases and therefore, focus will now shift to resettlement. This is why, Amabassador Plotner said that demining is vital, hence Germany’s involvement in the demining-process.

The efforts of FSD Demining Agency is partly sponsored by the German Foreign Ministry and he quipped that while he appreciates their efforts, he welcomes the fact that Germany had a hand in the initial resettlement process which are in part sponsored by German Welthungerhilfe. "We now hope that INGO’s with well-established track records will gain access to districts of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu as well to assess the situation and make a contribution towards the resettlement process which is now making headway.