1. As part of our development partnership with Sri Lanka and in response to requirements projected by the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of India is undertaking a project for providing 10,000 bicycles (both gents and ladies) to returnees, Internally Displaced Persons (idPs) as well as refugees, in the five districts of Northern Province. The objective of the project is to cater to the transportation needs of persons being resettled and to aid revival of their livelihoods. It is expected that provision of a bicycle to the resettled families will provide the necessary mobility and facilitate access to essential services. The intended beneficiaries are being selected from the most vulnerable of the returnees.

2. In discussions with the Government of Sri Lanka, a bicycle was identified as the item which is most needed to enhance and anchor return and is utilised by the entire community irrespective of age, gender or cultural persities. Necessary support was extended to the High Commission of India by the agencies of the Government of Sri Lanka, in particular the Presidential Task Force for Rehabilitation, Security and Development of Northern Province and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Northern Province in the process of identification and selection of a suitable supplier.

3. The High Commission has awarded the contract in this regard to a leading Indian manufacturer and the supply of bicycles is expected to commence by early November 2011. The supplier has also undertaken to set up a permanent assembly plant in Vavuniya, which will be used not only for the fulfillment of this supply but also to provide employment to local people on a continuing basis. The total cost of the project is about SLR 67 million.

4. India has been supporting projects for rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons in the Northern Province in the areas of shelter (through roofing sheets and cement bags), health-care (providing emergency medical relief, organizing artificial limbs refitment camps and equipping hospitals), livelihood generation (provision of fishing equipment, tractors, agricultural equipment and seeds) and education (repairs of schools and setting up of vocational training centres).