Govt. says it has a million mouths to feed in IDP camps
Rejects allegations of inhuman refugee camps

by Zacki Jabbar

Rejecting allegations that internally displaced Northern Tamils, were suffering in refugee camps, the government said yesterday that it has to feed a million mouths each day.

Export Development and International Trade Minister G. L. Peiris, asked about Opposition allegations that 280,000 IDP’s had to put up with inhuman conditions, said that it was easy to criticize, but the government was doing a tough job under trying circumstances.

"We are willing to rectify any wrongs, but it must be remembered that a huge effort is being put in, to make the IDP’s comfortable. Nearly a million mouths have to be fed each day."

Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, when referred to IDP requests that they be permitted to live with their relations in Sri Lanka or go abroad, said that such stories were being spread by opportunistic Opposition politicians.

"As a government, we are doing our best. Some of the IDP’s have already been resettled."

The UNP, meanwhile, has called on the government to permit around 175,000 women, children and old people, being "forcibly kept" in northern refugee camps, to live with their relations either in Sri Lanka or abroad.

Kandy District UNP MP Lakshman Kirielle said that the government by preventing the 280,000 IDP’s from escaping the "appalling conditions under which they are forced to live, was violating their basic human rights."

Under what laws are they prevented from leaving? he queried. "We can understand LTTE suspects being detained, but how can innocent women, children and old people, be denied the liberty to live comfortably with their kith and kin?"