With the resettlement process completed successfully and key areas such as housing, health, education, transport and livelihood development receiving priority attention by government agencies, the situation in the recently liberated Vakarai area has returned to as close to normalcy as it has in many years, a Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP)  team reports. 

The resettlement process has been completed smoothly and has not drawn any complaints whatsoever from the civilians.  With the completion of de-mining activities in most areas, making it possible for civilians to move in and around Vakarai freely, conditions have been created for resettlement and rehabilitation activities that will promote long-term livelihood development,  according to SCOPP officials.

Civilians have not only been resettled, but have been provided with money to build permanent houses, in accordance with an initiative launched by the Hon. Susantha Punchinilame. Each family will receive Rs. 100,000 to build houses plus Rs. 20,000 to construct toilets.  The Army will provide sand and timber. Roofing sheets will be obtained by the Army from the Rhino Company at a reduced price.  The SCOPP team reports that various I/NGOs have undertaken to build houses on several sites, which are awaiting construction. 

All 12 schools in the area, including a junior school with classes only up to Grade 6, were found to be fully operational with good attendance rates.  There are currently 156 teachers in the schools, suggesting still a shortage of around 40 teachers.  The SCOPP team was told that earlier there had been a lack of furniture but this too had been resolved.  It was found that 90% of the students had received the school uniforms they are entitled to while the others have got only one uniform so far.  The more serious issue is the lack of text books. A new set of text books have been sent but is inadequate for all the schools, SCOPP learns. 

Hon. Tissa Karalliyadde, Minister of Indigenous Medicines laid the foundation for an Ayurvedic Health Centre on August 18 and on the same day a health clinic was held with the assistance of volunteer doctors from Colombo at the Vakarai Maha Vidyalaya. 

The transport situation has also changed for the better, according to the SCOPP team. Buses are fully operational on a daily basis through Verugal, Kathiraveli, Vakarai to Valachchinai while the roads are in good condition.  Prior to the liberation of Vakarai there had only been five buses, but a further six have been added by the Government since.  The Road Development Authority operates a ferry service at Verugal Aru for both vehicles and passengers.  Since many civilians own motor cycles, bicycles and trishaws, transportation is no longer a serious issue for the people in Vakarai. 

Livlihood development is naturally a slower process. Most people (62%) depend on fishing (inland and sea).  Around 22% engage in agriculture while the others are either state employees or engage in small businesses.  Inland fishing is currently being carried out in the lakes and lagoons in Vakarai and the catch is stored and transported to Matale for sale.  SCOPP recommends that urgent mechanisms be established to help provide livelihood opportunities for those who have been settled recently.