Comments on: 180 days after end of war, the much anticipated return of IDPs: An eyewitness account http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/ Groundviews is an award winning Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:23:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: niranjan http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-11131 niranjan Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:28:09 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-11131 Groundviews, Interesting article. It is elections that has made the Government go in for speedy resettlement. MR is now giving Rs 50,000 for resettled families. He needs their vote as much as he needs the southern vote. A political solution to the Tamil problem will not happen even after the election. The 13 amendment will never be implemented nor will the APRC recommendations. Groundviews,

Interesting article. It is elections that has made the Government go in for speedy resettlement. MR is now giving Rs 50,000 for resettled families. He needs their vote as much as he needs the southern vote.
A political solution to the Tamil problem will not happen even after the election. The 13 amendment will never be implemented nor will the APRC recommendations.

]]> By: Humanist http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-11037 Humanist Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:34:07 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-11037 Thank you, Groundviews, for this update of the continuing plight of those who have suffered through this war - this is hardly surprising, considering the approach and incompetence of the government. Jack, what do you expect the intelligentsia to do, after Lasantha W. was killed and Tissanaiyagam was jailed - except write to Groundviews? And the less we talk about the abilities of Ranil W. the better. He is both power hungry and unscrupulous - otherwise, why would he even consider bringing in a general to add to the sorry mess that the country is in. There are a few local NGOs who are trying to do their best under very trying conditions to help the IDPs. As far as I'm concerned, they need all our support. Thank you, Groundviews, for this update of the continuing plight of those who have suffered through this war – this is hardly surprising, considering the approach and incompetence of the government.

Jack, what do you expect the intelligentsia to do, after Lasantha W. was killed and Tissanaiyagam was jailed – except write to Groundviews? And the less we talk about the abilities of Ranil W. the better. He is both power hungry and unscrupulous – otherwise, why would he even consider bringing in a general to add to the sorry mess that the country is in.

There are a few local NGOs who are trying to do their best under very trying conditions to help the IDPs. As far as I’m concerned, they need all our support.

]]> By: Jack danielz http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-11027 Jack danielz Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:55:47 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-11027 It's sad at what the politicians of SL have made of this Island!! Starting with the flawed thinking of SWRD, but most of this crap we need to attribute to JRJ - the cunning old-fox! As a Sinhalese, I've always opted to put 'Sri Lankan' wherever race was required to be filled in. The people over here are largely ok. It's the silence of the intelligentsia that permits the likes of Silva's and other such rotters to get away with keeping these crooked politico's in power! The task at hand is to now salvage what is possible from the Rajapa[k]sa Bro's incorporated - we are surely heading on the broad path to destruction... It's a pity the main opposition doesn't have a strong leader and an effective option on offer. Ranil with all of his shortcomings would possibly be the only man around with a strong enough vision. If we'd have not paid off hte ltte - he would be the president today. It’s sad at what the politicians of SL have made of this Island!! Starting with the flawed thinking of SWRD, but most of this crap we need to attribute to JRJ – the cunning old-fox!

As a Sinhalese, I’ve always opted to put ‘Sri Lankan’ wherever race was required to be filled in. The people over here are largely ok. It’s the silence of the intelligentsia that permits the likes of Silva’s and other such rotters to get away with keeping these crooked politico’s in power!

The task at hand is to now salvage what is possible from the Rajapa[k]sa Bro’s incorporated – we are surely heading on the broad path to destruction…

It’s a pity the main opposition doesn’t have a strong leader and an effective option on offer. Ranil with all of his shortcomings would possibly be the only man around with a strong enough vision. If we’d have not paid off hte ltte – he would be the president today.

]]> By: dayan john http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-11013 dayan john Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:38:01 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-11013 Thanks GV, Very informative indeed. I think the problem now is that help is available, both in terms of international and local agencies, and parts of the SL community, but the GOSL in their lingering fear (or guilt ?!) are not allowing this assistance to take place. Thanks, Thanks GV,

Very informative indeed. I think the problem now is that help is available, both in terms of international and local agencies, and parts of the SL community, but the GOSL in their lingering fear (or guilt ?!) are not allowing this assistance to take place.
Thanks,

]]> By: jansee http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-11006 jansee Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:18:52 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-11006 Fodie: In a joint communique, Sri Lanka promised to resettle the IDPs within 180 days. The pressure started piling-up when there were no visible resettlement and the various excuses the SL govt was giving in extending that period. Now, had it started to release or had it been an on-going exercise, I think SL may have received the benefit of doubt but the case was totally different - it was acting in a very recalcitrant way - that, I believe, irritated many. After all, it was the SL govt that bombed and flattened almost everything, including hospitals. The SL govt was so stubborn that it dismissed any attempts to question the delay in resettlement - until one matter surfaced and shook the foundation of the Rajapaksas seat - the former army general, incidentally cut from the same mould. With news rife of the general's foray into politics and being lined-up to challenge his former boss, somehow the Rajapaksa regime had found the time and space to be over-generous, including being coy to the TNA, as it now dawns that MR, for all his thumping, may yet face the same fate that bedevilled Churchill and Truman. What do they say about this - is it "what goes around comes around"? Fodie:

In a joint communique, Sri Lanka promised to resettle the IDPs within 180 days. The pressure started piling-up when there were no visible resettlement and the various excuses the SL govt was giving in extending that period. Now, had it started to release or had it been an on-going exercise, I think SL may have received the benefit of doubt but the case was totally different – it was acting in a very recalcitrant way – that, I believe, irritated many. After all, it was the SL govt that bombed and flattened almost everything, including hospitals.

The SL govt was so stubborn that it dismissed any attempts to question the delay in resettlement – until one matter surfaced and shook the foundation of the Rajapaksas seat – the former army general, incidentally cut from the same mould. With news rife of the general’s foray into politics and being lined-up to challenge his former boss, somehow the Rajapaksa regime had found the time and space to be over-generous, including being coy to the TNA, as it now dawns that MR, for all his thumping, may yet face the same fate that bedevilled Churchill and Truman. What do they say about this – is it “what goes around comes around”?

]]> By: Joe Ladislaus http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-11005 Joe Ladislaus Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:17:41 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-11005 KK I beg to differ. If you believe in God ,then he created everything that you could touch,see,feel,taste, hear, physics, chemistry, magnetism, the lot; except some discovered them and put their name to it as , Newton's Law., Archimedes Principle etc, out of Nothing and saying 'it is very good'. Who made it imperfect? you and me. If my car has some problems I would not consult a cookery book rather I would a car manufacturer's manual. Similarly one has to consult Gods manual to guide us with a body and a mind that prompts occasioinaly to all kinds of bizarre activities that could destroy us I understand that God gave as a quick reference 10 rules; in contrast to the myriads of statutes that make world institutions buckle under its weight. and I am told if one does only adhere to the first two, the latter being love thy neighbour as yourself all these turmoil would have been averted. KK I beg to differ. If you believe in God ,then he created everything that you could touch,see,feel,taste, hear, physics, chemistry, magnetism, the lot; except some discovered them and put their name to it as , Newton’s Law., Archimedes Principle etc, out of Nothing and saying ‘it is very good’. Who made it imperfect? you and me.
If my car has some problems I would not consult a cookery book rather I would a car manufacturer’s manual. Similarly one has to consult Gods manual to guide us with a body and a mind that prompts occasioinaly to all kinds of bizarre activities that could destroy us
I understand that God gave as a quick reference 10 rules; in contrast to the myriads of statutes that make world institutions buckle under its weight.
and I am told if one does only adhere to the first two, the latter being love thy neighbour as yourself all these turmoil would have been averted.

]]> By: Idealist? http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10973 Idealist? Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:55:20 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10973 Thank you GV for this information, which is totally inaccessible to us most of the time. I also heard that none of the UN or other agencies had access to the resettled areas in the Wanni? @ Foodie (and I'm sure there are plenty of others who share his/her view of 'it's all the fault of the international community')... there are plenty of aid agencies and the international community willing and ready to provide assistance if the govt. is willing to be transparent and allow them to assist. Why isn't the ICRC given access? And other agencies too? Thank you GV for this information, which is totally inaccessible to us most of the time. I also heard that none of the UN or other agencies had access to the resettled areas in the Wanni?

@ Foodie (and I’m sure there are plenty of others who share his/her view of ‘it’s all the fault of the international community’)… there are plenty of aid agencies and the international community willing and ready to provide assistance if the govt. is willing to be transparent and allow them to assist. Why isn’t the ICRC given access? And other agencies too?

]]> By: punitham http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10972 punitham Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:46:34 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10972 Infrastructure (all areas of public service) as well as the social fabric have to start from scratch. Hence civil administration, ie. district secretariats(with liberal HELP from regional and central administration) will have to take over from military administration and make a long-term PLAN while emergency services are provided by aid agencies who must be allowed in to help the desolate IDPs ''released'' from detention.. Infrastructure (all areas of public service) as well as the social fabric have to start from scratch. Hence civil administration, ie. district secretariats(with liberal HELP from regional and central administration) will have to take over from military administration and make a long-term PLAN while emergency services are provided by aid agencies who must be allowed in to help the desolate IDPs ”released” from detention..

]]> By: Foodie http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10958 Foodie Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:26:04 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10958 I can add: Shame on the international community for forcing the GOSL to resettle the IdPs before the necessary infrastructure was in place Shame on the people who wanted the rushed resettlement and are now saying that the resettlement was too rushed I can add:

Shame on the international community for forcing the GOSL to resettle the IdPs before the necessary infrastructure was in place
Shame on the people who wanted the rushed resettlement and are now saying that the resettlement was too rushed

]]> By: jansee http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10955 jansee Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:03:03 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10955 I can only express in one single phrase: SHAME ON THE GOVT OF SL I can only express in one single phrase: SHAME ON THE GOVT OF SL

]]> By: Joe Ladislaus http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10953 Joe Ladislaus Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:33:43 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10953 This is the fear I had all along, mentioning at least to the BTF when the world clamoured for the release of the IDP without the benefit of prior civil administration and infrastructure in place. But no one could expect the Sinhala dominated GoSL to do such a thing either, for it is their least concern after the premeditated carnage carried out with vengeance in retaliation, may be for the rising toll of their marauding men. This was their way of meting out collective punishment for defying their authority in the first place. They caved in and let the IDP go free from Vanni albeit some into other similar camps because of the pressure of losing the GSP +. Here again no one knows what is going on in these scattered military controlled camps. This is the fear I had all along, mentioning at least to the BTF when the world clamoured for the release of the IDP without the benefit of prior civil administration and infrastructure in place. But no one could expect the Sinhala dominated GoSL to do such a thing either, for it is their least concern after the premeditated carnage carried out with vengeance in retaliation, may be for the rising toll of their marauding men. This was their way of meting out collective punishment for defying their authority in the first place.

They caved in and let the IDP go free from Vanni albeit some into other similar camps because of the pressure of losing the GSP +. Here again no one knows what is going on in these scattered military controlled camps.

]]> By: KK http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10951 KK Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:07:22 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10951 People shouldn't expect thigs to be perfect at any time and when things are done in haste as demanded by international and community things are far far from satisfactory. God created a very imperfect word when he created the world in 7 days. So what can you expect of SL govt in 6 months after 30 years of destruction. Patience wins in the end. People shouldn’t expect thigs to be perfect at any time and when things are done in haste as demanded by international and community things are far far from satisfactory. God created a very imperfect word when he created the world in 7 days. So what can you expect of SL govt in 6 months after 30 years of destruction. Patience wins in the end.

]]> By: punitham http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10950 punitham Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:22:22 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10950 AJ Perera's comment. Ditto. AJ Perera’s comment.
Ditto.

]]> By: punitham http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10948 punitham Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:16:01 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10948 Groundviews, Thanks. Can you please make the change in your text? It still says: ''I was told that even ICRC did have access to Manik Farm and the detention (rehabilitation) centres since July.'' There is a big difference if ICRC has access or NOT. Groundviews,
Thanks.
Can you please make the change in your text?
It still says:
”I was told that even ICRC did have access to Manik Farm and the detention (rehabilitation) centres since July.”

There is a big difference if ICRC has access or NOT.

]]> By: Groundviews http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10941 Groundviews Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:40:23 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10941 Response from author to punitham: "Yes, we meant to say even ICRC does NOT have access. We were told Thunukkai comes under Killinochchi district by the commander there but a friend told it belongs to Mullaitheevu district." Response from author to punitham:

“Yes, we meant to say even ICRC does NOT have access. We were told Thunukkai comes under Killinochchi district by the commander there but a friend told it belongs to Mullaitheevu district.”

]]> By: AJ Perera http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10938 AJ Perera Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:16:53 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10938 Is there is any possibility of getting this and a sinhala translation published in any widely read newspapers in the country? Daily Mirror, Daily News? Is there is any possibility of getting this and a sinhala translation published in any widely read newspapers in the country? Daily Mirror, Daily News?

]]> By: tis-a-small-world http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10934 tis-a-small-world Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:41 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10934 This is a very informative and a timely article in a view point different to the governments. This gives an idea of whats happening in camps and newly resettled areas. With regards to ICRC access to rehabilitation camps I would like to highlight some points. Of recent the Rehabilitation Commissioner Daya Ratnayaka stated that there are around 17 rehabilitation centers housing 11,000 combatants. (http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/11/18/news16-1.asp) but does not state where these centers are located or their names, apart from the centers in Ambepussa, Welikanda and Tellipallai. ICRC have access to these three centers but not for all 17 centers. ICRC spokesperson Sarasi Wijeratna in a statement in September 2009 stated that the organization doesn't have access to rehabilitation centers. http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=61182 This is a very informative and a timely article in a view point different to the governments. This gives an idea of whats happening in camps and newly resettled areas.
With regards to ICRC access to rehabilitation camps I would like to highlight some points.
Of recent the Rehabilitation Commissioner Daya Ratnayaka stated that there are around 17 rehabilitation centers housing 11,000 combatants. (http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/11/18/news16-1.asp) but does not state where these centers are located or their names, apart from the centers in Ambepussa, Welikanda and Tellipallai. ICRC have access to these three centers but not for all 17 centers. ICRC spokesperson Sarasi Wijeratna in a statement in September 2009 stated that the organization doesn’t have access to rehabilitation centers. http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=61182

]]> By: punitham http://groundviews.org/2009/11/18/180-days-after-end-of-war-the-much-anticipated-return-of-idps-an-eyewitness-account/#comment-10931 punitham Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:03:19 +0000 http://www.groundviews.org/?p=2026#comment-10931 ''I was told that even ICRC did have access to Manik Farm and the detention (rehabilitation) centres since July.'' ''did have access'' or did NOT have access? ???? ”I was told that even ICRC did have access to Manik Farm and the detention (rehabilitation) centres since July.”

”did have access” or did NOT have access?

????

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