05.05.2009

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa,

President of Sri Lanka,

Temple Trees,

Colombo-03

Your Excellency,

IMMEDIATE  NEEDS  OF  THE  IDPs.

Being pressed from all sides, within and from abroad, with all sort of requests, in sheer desperation we are writing this to you with the hope that you will order prompt action on the following matters.

1.      Water:-

The season is such that shortage occurs often for drinking water.  There is acute shortage of water for other purposes also.  People stand in long “Q” to get there water.  It is a very serious problem to the IDPs.  Many had not taken a both few days.

ADRA:-

I strongly urge that the services of the organization named ADRA should be obtained.  I am confident that they can solve the problem with the facilities available with them.  Their drilling machine can reach a depth of over 250 meters and can drill an average 2 tube-wells per day.  They have with them five bowsers with 5000 gallon capacity. 

2.      Food:-

In most camps food supply is ok.  However in certain camps at times no food is supplied.  This is because of no proper planning.

3.      Release of Elders:-

Inspite of a decision to release all elders over 60 years, there is a long delay in releasing them.  The decision should be varied to release all over 60 years and those close to 60 with their spouses.

4.      Patients:-

A number of patients could have obtained better treatment if allowed to go elsewhere for treatment at their expense.  The reason for this request is shortage of drugs and large number of patients.

5.      Treatment Abroad:-

Those who can afford treatment abroad should be allowed if requested

6.      Government Servants:-

All Government servants who served in Kilinochchi and Mullaitheevu and the LTTE controlled areas of Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya should be release with their families and the services should be utilized to benefit IDPs.

7.      Government Agents:-

Government Agents of Kilinochchi and Mullaitheevu should be instructed to restart their Kachcheries and take charge of the IDPs of their districts initially at Vavuniya and gradually move to their respective districts.  All Gramasevakas of these divisions should be engaged in looking after the needs of the IDPs.

8.      Reunion of Families:-

Members of the same family in various camps should be brought together to one camp.

9.      Telephone:-

Provide more telephones for all camp.

10. Visits to IDPs.

Allow atleast one person to visits each one of the displaced family.

11. Maternity Cases:-

All such cases to be accommodated at the Madhu Church with their families to protect small children.

12. Disableds, Orphans Elders and Mentally Affected Persons:-

Please appoint a committee to go into the question of finding homes for this category of people.

13. The Widows:-

There are a number of women organizations who are prepared to take charge of them.  They can also advice widows with children on various matters.

14. Mortuary :-

Without a proper mortuary the bodies of the dead, that should be treated with utmost respect in accordance to our customs, are allowed to decompose making it very difficult for patients who are close to the mortuary.  The stink spreads over a radius of 200 to 300 meter.  Proper arrangement should be made to preserve the bodies till handed over to the relative or friends.

The requirement of food in Newmathalan is 478 metric tons per week.  We shall feel much obliged if you would kindly give serious consideration to these proposal and do the needful without delay.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

V.Anandasangaree,                        D.Sithadhan              T.Sritharan,

President                                          President                              General Secretary,

TULF                                                 PLOTE                                  EPRLF (Pathmanabha)