Sri Lanka to conduct survey to address war displacement issue

A social survey is to be conducted jointly by the Sri Lankan government and UN agencies to assess the requirements with regard to accelerated resettlement of the war displaced in the north of the country, the government said on Wednesday.

The decision to conduct the survey was taken during a meeting held by the Task Force on Resettlement of Protracted internally Displaced People in the Northern Province.

The meeting focused on addressing the urgent infrastructure requirements, housing requirements and maintenance of hospitals and schools which would benefit the IDPs.

Thousands were displaced during the final stages of the war between the Sri Lankan military and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Following the end of a 30-year war in 2009, most of those displaced were resettled either on their original land or at other locations.

However some families still remain displaced and those families have called for permanent shelters before the rain season sets in.

(APD)