Colombo: Sri Lanka will on Monday allow
thousands of civilians to leave state-run camps where they
have been detained since the military's victory over Tamil
Tiger separatist rebels, a senior official said.
About 128,000 men, women and children who were displaced
during the final stages of the conflict remain in heavily
guarded military camps in Vavuniya district, 260 kilometres
north of Colombo.
"There will be no restrictions on displaced people from
December 1. They have to inform the army post they are leaving
and can come and go as they wish," N Thirugnanasampanther, a
civil servant in Vavuniya, said today.
Many of the detainees face a difficult task returning to
their villages hundreds of kilometres away, and officials said
they would not receive state assistance for their journeys.
Thirugnanasampanther said resettlement work was on
schedule as authorities step up mine clearing work in the
former combat zone.
Under intense international pressure, the government has
promised to close the camps by the end of January.
PTI
First Published: Monday, November 30, 2009, 23:10