Peter Harold said he was saddened to see the plight of Muslim refugees

World Bank’s Country Director for Sri Lanka Peter Harold said that he was saddened to see the plight of Muslim refugees in Puttlam.

After visiting the refugee camps at Weppamadu in Puttalam-Mannar high road, Peter Harold had discussions with government officials, camp officials and the representatives of the non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) at the district secretariat.

He also visited the Makkalpuram refugee camp and Alankudawa B camp at Kalpitiya.

Evicted by LTTE

Thousands of Muslims in northern Sri Lanka were ordered to leave their properties by the LTTE in 1991.

They were only allowed to take minimum of their posessions and limited amount of cash. Everything else got confiscated by the Tamil Tigers.

Mr. Prabhakaran has said he will help Muslim's to resettle. So I hope he will reply my letter Wanni Rehabilitation minister

This act is described by some as ethnically cleansing the North.

Tamil Tigers later apologised to Muslims after it was heavily criticised by human rights activists.

The refugees requested the WB official to help to resettle in their homeland.

Peter Harold suggested preparing a plan together with Wanni Rehabilitation Ministry.

Letter to Prabhakaran

Wanni Rahabilitation minister Ishad Badiudden responding said the refugees are afraid to go back to their original homes as Tamil Tigers are in control of the area.

He said he did not receive a response to the letter sent to LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran asking for his permission to resettle them.

“I requested a meeting with him.

Mr. Prabhakaran has said he will help Muslim's to resettle. So I hope he will reply my letter.”

Norwegian peace envoy Erik solheim also visited the camps last month.

That was the first time Norwegian facilitators visited the Muslim refugees evicted by the LTTE.