“We are encouraged by the Sri Lankan government's long-awaited decision this week to allow increased freedom of movement for some 135,000 internally displaced people," said UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic.

UNHCR field staff had reported that over 7,000 IDPs from the Menik Farm camps in Vavuniya and another 25 people from the camp in Trincomalee left the IDP sites the first day that the new policy came into force.

People had permission to stay away for up to 15 days and to go anywhere during this time. However, IDPs who leave the camps are provided with a pass issued by the local authorities.

Many are visiting relatives or getting medical check-ups.

The Agencys teams are in the process of assessing the number of IDPs exercising their new freedom of movement over the past few days, and it reports that people continue to leave the camps, UNHCR said.

According to UNHCR teams on the ground, many people left their belongings in the camps, which is an indication that they intend to return to the camps.