IDPs 'ready' to go back

More than 16000 people were displaced in Vakarai when the hostilities increased between the government forces and LTTE.

The District Secretariat said that more than 4500 families from 37 villages left Vaharai and taken refuge in schools and other establishments.

The commander of the 23 battalion, Brigadier Daya Ratnayaka, and the Divisional Secretary held a special meeting regarding the resettling at Vaharai divisional secretariat on Monday.

It would be better to resettle all of us together   A refugee in Vakarai

The officials said “corporative shop and other amenities will function from tomorrow and resettlements are going to start from Uriyankattu”. “Military has said that this village is cleard of land mines” added the officials.

Nearly 450 families left the village as violence increased.

"It would be better to resettle all of us again” said one of the villagers.

Speaking to BBC Sandeshya displaced people pointed out that it is important to assure their safety and security.

"We work in the lagoon and near by jungle, so we must be given an assuarance by the officials that our lives will be safe before resettling in Vakarai," said another villager.

According to the local officials delegates form the displaced community is going to visit the village to assess the present condition tomorrow.

IDPs from other villages earlier rejected to go back until authorities guarantee their safety.