PR 30

The High Commissioner of India, Mr. Alok Prasad, accompanied by a team of officers from the High Commission of India in Colombo, visited the idP camps in Menik Farm, Vavuniya, this morning. During his visit, the High Commissioner held discussions regarding the welfare of the idPs with Mrs. Charles, the GA of Vavuniya and Maj Gen Kamal Gooneratne, the Competent Authority for idPs in the Northern Province. The High Commissioner was also briefed on the measures being taken by authorities of the Government of Sri Lanka for the provision of various facilities in Menik Farm, especially to guard against possible flooding and water logging during the next monsoon. Developments regarding the process of resettlement of the idPs to places of their native habitation were also discussed during the visit. The High Commissioner subsequently visited the various zones of Menik Farm and distributed educational kits donated by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation to nearly 100 schoolchildren. A total of 6000 such kits are being provided for the use of students studying at various schools in the camps. The High Commissioner also visited a temple in Kathirgamar Village (Zone 0) to offer prayers.

The High Commissioner noted that India continued to remain concerned about the welfare of the idPs in northern Sri Lanka. He recalled that the Indian Hospital had recently left Sri Lanka after six months of service, out of which nearly four months were spent providing healthcare to over 50,000 idPs in Menik Farm. Medicines worth nearly SLR 100 million had also been provided during this period to the Government of Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner said that, as a follow up measure, the Government of India had made a proposal to deploy andartificial limb fitment team from the famous Jaipur Foot organization of India for the treatment of those who might have lost their limbs during the conflict. The proposal was now with the the Government of Sri Lanka and India was awaiting from it a confirmation of the basic logistics that need to be provided for the project. The High Commissioner also mentioned that nearly 90,000 family packs provided by India and consisting of food, clothing, personal hygiene items, cooking utensils, etc., had already been supplied and distributed in Menik Farm. A consignment of a further 80,000 packs, which also consisted of supplementary food items, children's clothing, footwear, jerricans, etc., had recently been handed over for distribution through UNHCR. India had also provided 2700 tons of GI sheeting to be used as roofing material for idPs returning to their places of native settlement and intended to help them in the reconstruction of thier homes.

The High Commissioner thanked the officials of the Government of Sri Lanka for facilitating this visit and noted that the Government of India would continue to closely cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka as the latter moved to address the challenges of resettlement of the idPs in the coming weeks.

Colombo

High Commissioner and G.A. of Vavuniya, Mrs. Charles

High Commissioner H.E. Shri Alok Prasad and Deputy High Commissioner with educational kits for schoolchildren in Menik Farm


High Commissioner H.E. Shri Alok Prasad distributing educational kits to schoolchildren


High Commissioner offering prayers at a temple in Kathirgamar Village (Zone 0) in Menik Farm


Schoolboy in idP camp in Menik Farm receiving educational kit from High Commissioner