Shelters in the camps are dilapidated and lack water or sanitary facilities. Residents of some camps walk several miles in search of drinking water. The government secretariat says that ‘needs assessments’ from Pradeshiya Sabhas (regional councils) for repair of shelters have not been received. IDPs want to return to their home areas, but these lie in military high security zones (HSZ).
In March, the Jaffna NGO consortium sent a letter to all foreign diplomatic missions in Colombo highlighting that the conditions of the people, after a year of ceasefire, have not improved. The problems relating to health, education, employment, transport, agriculture, fishing and HSZs remain. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, on a visit to India, said that the LTTE was justified in insisting that the people of the north-east have not reaped the benefits of peace.
The North-East Fishermen Union began repairing a sea food processing plant in Jaffna town at a cost of Rs 2.1 million, but the Army have ordered the Union to suspend repairs alleging security reasons. People say that in some areas the Army is continuing to fell palmyrah and coconut trees despite a strict order by Defence Secretary Austin Fernando, and are extending military camps.
The perimeter of the Army camp in Ariyalai, three miles east of Jaffna town, has been extended, affecting some 1,000 fishermen. Local NGOs have cabled the Prime Minister, protesting against the construction of a new Army camp in an important area of Jaffna town. They say that a library, two schools, a church and a temple are in the vicinity and the camp would affect normal life in the area. The Jaffna Catholic Bishop has also expressed his opposition to the camp.
In mid-March, the Navy vacated the Pradeshiya Sabha building on Neduntivu Island, west of Jaffna peninsula. The occupation of the building for the past three months had disrupted the work of the council. The Navy’s move followed the visit of Economic Reform minister Milinda Moragoda to the island and discussions with local people. The people say, however, the number of Navy personnel on the island has increased.
NGOs have also expressed concern over complaints of discrimination in government payments to resettling IDPs. Those arriving from the Vanni mainland have priority over IDPs in Jaffna. Displaced people who returned from the Vanni, even a day before 22 February 2002, the date of the ceasefire agreement, are denied any resettlement assistance.