The participants noted that there remains a need to improve conditions of physical security through addressing human rights concerns, incidents of violence against civilians and reducing risks from landmines. They also stressed the need to improve conditions of legal security through independent judicial and policing systems, simplification of immigration procedures, citizenship and issue of identity cards, and through adequate laws for property restitution. The participants pointed at the need for material security through restoration of basic services where Sri Lankan refugees originated, such as health and education, potable water and sanitation and means of livelihood and employment.
A week earlier, the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE agreed at the peace talks in Thailand, on an Action Plan for an Accelerated Resettlement Programme for Jaffna District and set deadlines for the first phase of the Plan. Identification of available resources from appropriate funds will be completed by 20 January and a plan to release premises presently used by the security forces to original owners or intended purposes will be submitted by 31 January. The preliminary physical assessment in Jaffna will be completed by 7 February and formulation of project recommendations and identification of potential implementing agencies by 14 February.
The Sub-Committee on Immediate Humanitarian and Rehabilitation Needs (SIHRN) held its third meeting in Kilinochchi on 15 and 16 January. SIHRN identified a number of urgent needs, including construction of ice plants in the north-east, skill and capacity development, improvement of the Mullaitivu hospital and irrigation projects in Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Batticaloa districts. SIHRN also agreed on guidelines for selection of projects and the need for special attention on resettlement of Muslim IDPs.