Govt. says establishing military camps is only a temporary measure

Trincomalee district legislator K Thurairatnam said refugees from Eachchalampattu were resettled in Udappukerni and Sinnakulam on Saturday.

"These peoiple were not even provided with basic facilities such as toilets and water," he told BBC Sandeshaya.

High Security Zone

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian said the IDPs are settled in other areas as a result of a High Security Zone (HSZ) established in Eachchalampattu by the authorities.

The Sri lankan government however insisted that the current resettlement is only a temporary measure.

TNA parlimanetarian says IDPs are settled in villages where no basic facilities such as toilets and water

Minister in charge of resettlement, Risath Badiurdheen, told BBC Sandeshaya that 71 families have agreed to be resettled in friends and relatives until their houses are rebuilt.

In Eachchalampattu, he said, the establishment of the military camp was necessary as the area was under LTTE control until early this year.

Minister denies

"The President has ordered us to make sure the traditional owners are handed over their lands as soon as possible," the minister told BBCSinhala.com.

The President has ordered us to make sure the traditional owners are handed over their lands as soon as possible Resettlement minister

MP Thurairatnasingham added that the settlers will not be able to stay in new areas during the raining season.

He questioned as to why only Tamil people are evicted when establishing HSZs.

"In many other areas like Katunayake, people live withing the borders of HSZs. Is it only the Tamils are evicted?" he questioned.