Following the Mavil Aru standoff when the LTTE closed a sluice gate and starved some 20,000 acres of paddy land and thousands of farmers of water, government security forces were pushed into a series of humanitarian operations to liberate people trapped in uncleared areas controlled by the LTTE.  This led to a sharp increase in IDP numbers in the East, but quick and adequate response by government agencies has effectively prevented the situation from precipitating a crisis. A systematic resettlement process accompanied by necessary search operations and most importantly de-mining exercises (carried out by the Army prior to obtaining Quality Assurance Certificates from the UNDP Mine Action Program) has resulted in a drastic drop in IDP numbers.

Contrary to unsubstantiated allegations, there is no forced resettlement of IDPs, according to the Ministry.  All IDPs are resettled on a voluntary basis and are comprehensively briefed about options and conditions, and both US Ambassador Robert Blake and Japanese Special Envoy Yasusi Akashi have expressed satisfaction regarding the process.

Moreover, UNHCR in a recent statement observed that the majority of people are eager to return home, that the returnees do so voluntarily and that the entire processes is in line with international protection standards.  This view was also endorsed by Anthony Banbury, Regional Director, World Food Program.

Some media reports and certain organizations purporting to advocate human rights have asserted that there are 300,000 persons in IDP camps in the Eastern Province alone, but the true figures certainly do not qualify for the ‘crisis’ tag.

In the Batticaloa District, which experienced a sudden influx of IDPs with operations in Sampoor, Vakarai and Thoppigala, the number of displaced families has dropped from 46,369 to 11,490 by the end of August, 2007.  Only 4,179 families are actually living in Welfare Centres, the rest are living with friends and relatives.  The total number of IDPs in this district has dropped to 42,484 (counting those living with friends and relatives) from an original 175,652.  Government agencies point out that the process of resettlement and rehabilitation is moving as fast as realities permit with large-scale de-mining being a pre-requisite for resettlement.  This fact is appreciated by I/NGOs as well.

A total of 5723 families from the DS Divisions of Verugal/Eachchilampattu, Muttur and Seruwila in Trincomalee remain to be resettled, around 1500 of who are living with friends and relatives.

While it is not denied that situations in welfare camps are far from ideal, government agencies, along with I/NGOs and UN agencies have together and separately have made significant progress in providing basic amenities including shelter, food and healthcare to IDPs in both districts. Frequent visits to relevant areas are made by government agencies to ascertain conditions and to find out what needs to be provided and/or rectified urgently.  Material has been provided through the respective GAs to build temporary shelters or repair partially damaged houses.  Measures are fast underway to provide permanent shelters in collaboration with INGOs, according to the Ministry.

The Ministry also denies that there is a lack of adequate access to these areas for NGOs, pointing out that all I/NGOs that satisfy guidelines necessitated by security concerns do not and cannot complain of inaccessibility.