The Sri Lanka government will complete the resettlement of landless internally-displaced persons (IDP) in the Jaffna district by year-end. According to an earlier plan, the process was to be completed this month.

A release issued by the Resettlement Ministry on Thursday put the number of landless IDP families in Jaffna at 936 whereas, at the time of the Cabinet approval last month for housing, the figure mentioned was 971.

With army support

One hundred houses, being built in Keerimalai near Kankesanthurai, with the support of the Sri Lanka Army, are expected to be ready in a month.

Another 104 housing units are under construction in Palali North under owner-driven concept and are scheduled to be completed in October.

The authorities have also identified 250 plots in the Kankesanthurai cement factory area to resettle as many landless families. The requirements of the remaining 482 families will have to be addressed, which the authorities hope to complete by December.

According to the Resettlement Ministry, discussions were on for the release of 450 acres of land in Kankesanthurai; Palai Vemankamam North and Thaiyyiddy. It would take care of 100 families.

Asked about the reported proposal mooted by the Resettlement Ministry for getting 1,000 acres of private land released, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi told The Hindu recently that the matter had not yet been referred to him. “At present, we are working on identifying land for the landless IDPs,” he added.

(The Hindu)