Rajiva Wijesinha

“ Certainly the decision of government to move swiftly to livelihood development, and provide the means of economic activity, seemed welcome to people who had not relished being dependents without any stability for so many years previously. ”

“ Government however stuck to its plans, and is thus able, having checked reasonably thoroughly, to move swiftly now and without second thoughts with the resettlement of all those in the Centres. Statistics of those taken out for rehabilitation, or else for further investigation (well under 1000) , are also available, while families are able to visit those in rehabilitation – of whom over 700 have already been released to rejoin their families.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, government was determined to restore basic infrastructure in the areas to be resettled. ”

“ Schools were functioning in all these areas, with most buildings satisfactorily repaired and adequate complements of teachers in place. Only one school was still dingy and depressing, but that was an old structure and plans were in place to rebuild a newer structure that had suffered more in the conflict. Elsewhere the buildings were bright and shiny – as were the students, whose numbers were increasing daily as parents brought back children who had stayed on in Vavuniya till they were sure schooling would be restored. ”